Bro. John C. Sobeck

John C. Sobeck, 81, of West Wyoming, peacefully passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Luzerne on June 30, 1943, he was the eldest son of the late George S. Sobeck Jr. and Edith Belcher Sobeck.

John graduated from Luzerne High School, Class of 1961. Upon graduation, John immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country on the USS St. Clair County (LST-1096). John successfully obtained a classification rank of ETN3 (E-4), and received an honorable discharge as an electronics technician, from the U.S. Naval Station, Long Beach, Calif.

John worked effortlessly to support his growing family. Relative to his naval training, John was employed by the Tobyhanna Depot and Bendix Corporation where he tested, maintained and modified GPS Electronics and Weapons Guidance Systems; including the GYROSCOPE for the NASA Space Shuttles.

As Bendix closed their doors, John expanded his horizons into construction, where he became a union carpenter, under the tutelage of his brother-in-law, Leon Chmura, working for Ridge Homes. To further advance his construction inspirations, John entered into a business opportunity with his partner Maurice Lindquist, to form Sobeck and Lindquist – General Contractors. He was a master carpenter accomplished with building 100-plus homes, by establishing his Back Mountain residential communities: Sherwood Forest & Sutton Hills. For this achievement, he earned the BALA Awards: Best Home in Mid-Atlantic & Best Eastern Living Award.

After an award-winning career in the home building industry in the 1970s, John purchased Ruggle’s Lumber Company, Luzerne. He established LBJ Construction then joined with First General Services of NEPA, in 1982, quickly becoming the largest member of the fire and water damage repair industry on the East Coast.

Although John was already one of the leading national contractors in the fire and water damage repair industry, that did not quench his desire to become even more successful. He later seized on the opportunity to expand his business with the purchase of the parent company, First General Services of North America.

John was an involved member of the following clubs: 32nd Degree Masons, George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531, Dallas; Kiwanis, Dallas Rotary Luzerne County Fair; Irem Shriners Hospital, Irem Temple Country Club and Golf Association; and Fox Hill Country Club.

John also loved the ocean. In May 2000, he proudly obtained his U.S. Merchant Marine officer certification as “Captain John.” He was an avid fisherman as well as a Corvette and Austin Healy enthusiast.

John and his family were involved in numerous philanthropical endeavors, including an annual golf tournament benefiting the Luzerne Foundation, Penn State Endowed Scholarship, American Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the John C. and Barbara E. Sobeck Charitable Trust.

John has been a champion for honesty, integrity, service, quality, teamwork and for FAMILY!

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, George S. Sobeck III; and grandson, Edward M. Sobeck.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, the former Barbara Evans; six children, Chris Sobeck (Terry Tyson), Lake Wynonah; Mike Sobeck (Barb), Wilkes-Barre; Jackie (Ed Brighthaupt), Dallas; Johnny Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Paul Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Jeremy Sobeck, Plains Twp.; five grandchildren, Erin Herbert, Theresa Watson, Joanna Sobeck, Edward Brighthaupt III and Brinley Sobeck; two great-grandchildren, Thurston and Zoey Herbert; numerous nieces and nephews, whom he adored; sister, Suellen Kravulski; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Sobeck.