David Lynn Goeke

David attended Trinity Lutheran Elementary school, University Junior High, and Concordia Lutheran Academy. He completed junior college at Concordia University Austin and Senior College at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he earned a BA in Education. Dave enjoyed sports both as spectator and participant, including swimming and tennis (in which he lettered in college).

Dave was one of the first DCE’s (Director of Christian Education) in the Texas District of the LCMS. His first call was to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. He served here with his longtime friend and later father-in-Law, Eldor Mickan. On June 24, 1973, Dave married Martha Mickan. He and Martha had 3 sons: Aaron, Timothy, and Paul.

Dave loved singing. For many years, he led youth choirs accompanied by his guitar (and occasionally his mandolin or banjo). During his early years in college, he was part of a folk quartet that entertained a variety of venues. His artistic endeavors also included Lapidary (stone) jewelry work and poetry. Only days before his death, he smiled with gratitude at the times when “the words just flowed” through his poetry. He was also an avid amateur archeologist and paleontologist.

Dave was a book lover from adolescence on - in both German and English. Over the years, he collected large numbers of rare books, especially in the German language. He was deeply proud of his oldest book, a commentary on the book of Proverbs in Latin and Hebrew, from the year 1614. He was an avid student of Martin Luther - to such an extent that he many times portrayed Luther in a one-man monologue. As a result of these portrayals, there are still people across Texas who cannot remember his name but know him only as “Dr Luther”.

Dave served in various ministry capacities over the years. He loved to preach, having had a major in theology, and loved the congregations he served. Those congregations included Mt Olive Lutheran Church and School (San Antonio, TX), St Andrews (Houston, TX), Redeemer Lutheran (Odessa, TX), and St John (Uhland, TX). He also served as a supply pastor for numerous churches throughout Texas - including churches in Rankin, Pearsall, Divine, Rosanke, and Gonzales.

Dave took a hiatus from church work and for many years served as a salesman for Mechanical Reps Incorporated in San Antonio, TX. After this time, he closed out his career serving as pastor at St John Lutheran Church in Uhland, TX.

Dave was a renowned Wendish Scholar and helped to craft what is now the Texas Wendish Heritage Society. Dave has been cited in many notable books on the Wends, such as “Lusation Legends” and “Jan Kilian - Pastor, Poet, Emigrant”. In addition to this, he was a lover of history in general. He aided in various historical efforts such as work among the East Fresian people in Germany and serving as co-producer with Tim Ristow in “Crossing Jordan”, the award-winning documentary about Concordia University. He also served as the Archivist for the Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Dave loved his family. He was exceedingly proud of and thankful for each of his three sons, their spouses, his 12 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He is survived by his sons (Aaron, Timothy, and Paul), his daughters in law (Kristen, Deneen, and Angie), his grandchildren (Vadim, Hannah, Evan, Liesl, Ashtin, Alex, Adler, Asa, Ava, Helen, Gideon, Judah); great grandchildren (Gemma, Milo, Rio, Finn, and Lucas); and his sister, (Mary Ann Brown and husband, John). Dave was a compassionate man and sought to share the love of Jesus wherever he went. His deepest desire was that everyone around him knows the unyielding love of Jesus. Dave remained faithful unto death and received his eternal crown of life on April 29,2026.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258.

Interment to follow on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Texas Wendish Heritage Society at www.texaswends.org.