Bryan Gober: Jan. 8, 1976-Aug. 20, 2026

Bryan “Goob” Gober passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, at the age of 50. He was a loving brother, father, son, uncle, and friend.

Bryan lived in Ingram, TX, with his sister, Kristi, and his dog, Chloe, in a cabin on the Guadalupe River. On the property, he enjoyed the company of six wonderful neighbors, two annoying goats, several happy dogs, three cool chickens, and a feisty micro-Scottish Highland bull named Caspy. Bryan was surrounded by an abundance of love during the last four months of his life.

Bryan was born on January 8, 1976, in Temple, TX, to Tommy Gober Jr. and Becky (McAfee) Gober. He grew up with his grandparents, Tommy Sr. and Pearl Gober (Nana and Papa), in Moffat, TX. He enjoyed his childhood riding four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and barrel bulls—and running the streets of Moffat with his friend Michael Luna. They spent much of their childhood riding their bicycles and exploring the woods surrounding Belton Lake just down the road at McGregor Park.

Before he was even school-age, Bryan made it well known that his dream was to ride bulls. He would practice with his chest bowed out and his hand in the air on any object he could “ride” on. He kept his tongue tucked into his bottom lip like a big ol’ dip of snuff. Just before his teen years, he crossed paths with another young cowboy, Michael Faber, who had the same rodeo ambition. Along with their group of rodeo buddies, they spent more than a decade chasing that dream all over Texas and beyond. Despite being stepped on, hooked in the face, suffering a broken leg, a broken back, a punctured lung, and many other injuries, his only question for the doctors was, “When can I ride again?”

Bryan loved to make people laugh. His smiling eyes and Copenhagen grin lit up the atmosphere whenever he showed up. He always had a joke or funny story because laughing with his friends brought him joy. He held onto their frequent sayings and unique ways and used them over and over again because it kept them alive in his heart and mind when they weren’t around. Bryan genuinely loved every one he called a friend.

Bryan enjoyed many things including playing guitar, fishing, riding motorcycles, digging for arrowheads, and watching bull riding and motocross videos. He had a passion for driving heavy equipment and was good at it. He could fix anything or do any job you set in front of him. 

He also had a big heart for animals. He especially loved his chihuahuas–with special mention of Bucket and Chloe. His dogs were family. Although he lost Bucket two years ago, Chloe remained at his side as his loyal companion.

Bryan did not meet a stranger. If he met you once, you were a lifelong friend. He was the first to offer a hand, never expecting anything in return. He was known for his generous heart, positive attitude, and forgiving spirit.

Bryan had a stubborn side, too. He didn’t like to be told what to do and would often do the opposite. A rodeo phrase tattooed on his right forearm that read, “Say I Won’t”, expressed that side of Bryan’s personality perfectly. That rebellious spirit showed up in the last three months of his life as he fought stage 4 cancer. He was determined to push through the debilitating illness and live his life to the fullest. In the span of three months, he managed to try calf roping again, conquer a mechanical bull, travel to rodeos, ride motorcycles, fish at the river, and traveled to visit with many of his friends and family. During that time, he got engaged to his lifelong friend, Nikki, who stayed by his side to the very end.

Bryan’s faith walk started in 1999 when he gave his heart to the Lord in the presence of his rodeo buddies. Although life took him in a different direction for many years, he opened his heart to the Lord’s will again in 2024 and walked in obedience to God during the last two years of his life. On August 2, 2026, Bryan made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ before his church friends and loved ones and was baptized at the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, TX. Eighteen days later, he would be in the presence of his Savior.

He is survived by his son, Colton Gober; his grandson, Jackson Gober; his fiance’, Nikki Ray; his mother, Becky, and her husband, Donnie; his stepmother, Melody Gober; his sister, Kristi, and her husband, Scott; his sister, Amanda Nunnallee; his brother, Terence Nunnallee, and his wife, Lisa; nieces Kori and Malia; and nephews Brenden, Brent, Korbin, Atlas, Noah, and Nathan.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Tommy Gober Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Tommy Sr. and Pearl Gober; and his maternal grandparents, Bryan and Mona McAfee.

He leaves behind a large family and many friends who loved him dearly and will miss his funny stories, his contagious laugh, his smiling eyes, and that crooked Copenhagen grin.

A Celebration of Bryan’s Life will be held on September 12, 2026, at The Well in Moody, TX. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., and the Memorial Service will begin at 3:00 p.m.

Donations can be made to the church at thewellmoody.com, as the church has faithfully been there for our family through this difficult time.