Douglas Gamble
GAMBLE July 5, 1918 – June 9, 2016-06-11 Today as we mourn the passing of our father Douglas Bruce Gamble, we also celebrate the many years he generously gave us. Dad left home to make his way in the world at the age of 14 years. His parents Howard and Sadie Gamble, farmed in Kiedive, SK where dad was born a middle child. His three older sisters – Ruby, Pearl, Garnette and younger brothers Glenn and Don and baby sister Iris all predeceased him as did all their spouses. Dad worked as a ranch hand, farm labourer, log shipper and finally joined the work crews in the oilfields in the prairies. It was there in the town of Riverhurst where Dad fell in love with my mother to be Opal Starfield; a young war widow and her son Terry. Upon marriage my father adopted Terry giving him the surname Gamble. Trish was born during the Leduc#1 discovery well on which our father was working on at the time. Years later in 2002, Dad would be recognized by the Royal Canadian Mint and numerous dignitaries for his work on that well and was given a framed replica of the gold coin minted in his honour. Dad left the oil patch and moved into ranching in the 60’s in the Millarville area as a working partner with the Seaman Brothers. My mother Opal became terminally ill and passed away at the age of 53 years. That brought many changes to his world once again. He went to the States and learned the auctioneer trade which he then took up in the Didsbury area. He remarried at this time but sadly his second wife Marj also passed away of cancer a few years later. He had at that time started an oilfield consultant business and worked in that area until he retired. Dad had a passion for horses, music, dancing, reading, gardening, hunting, fishing and camping and he taught us to love these things as well. He was also fanatical about his football and rodeos. We had hoped for a chance to celebrate Dad’s 98th birthday but God had other plans. Instead we gave him over to family who had gone over before: his parents, his siblings, still born son Gary, wives Opal and Marj, and adopted son Terry. Left to remember and cherish him are: daughter Trish (Skip) Mountain and their son Ryan Mountain, special grandchildren Kevin (Kelly) and Kristy, step-son Graham (Bernie) Gristwood, much loved cousins Bob & Shirley Gamble and many extended family members. As a family we traveled many miles together with Dad and I will miss the chance to talk with you over the phone as you became less mobile. Your caregivers at the Sundre Hospital, your physicians Dr. Michelle Warren and Dr. Rob Warren and their Extended Care Unit were angels in disguise as was the Red Deer Regional Hospital where you had miracle surgery to repair your broken hip. We love you Dad and you will be remembered “always” for your smile, humour and cowboy songs.Obituary
GAMBLE July 5, 1918 – June 9, 2016-06-11 Today as we mourn the passing of our father Douglas Bruce Gamble, we also celebrate the many years he generously gave us. Dad left home to make his way in the world at the age of 14 years. His parents Howard and Sadie Gamble, farmed in Kiedive, SK where dad was born a middle child. His three older sisters – Ruby, Pearl, Garnette and younger brothers Glenn and Don and baby sister Iris all predeceased him as did all their spouses. Dad worked as a ranch hand, farm labourer, log shipper and finally joined the work crews in the oilfields in the prairies. It was there in the town of Riverhurst where Dad fell in love with my mother to be Opal Starfield; a young war widow and her son Terry. Upon marriage my father adopted Terry giving him the surname Gamble. Trish was born during the Leduc#1 discovery well on which our father was working on at the time. Years later in 2002, Dad would be recognized by the Royal Canadian Mint and numerous dignitaries for his work on that well and was given a framed replica of the gold coin minted in his honour. Dad left the oil patch and moved into ranching in the 60’s in the Millarville area as a working partner with the Seaman Brothers. My mother Opal became terminally ill and passed away at the age of 53 years. That brought many changes to his world once again. He went to the States and learned the auctioneer trade which he then took up in the Didsbury area. He remarried at this time but sadly his second wife Marj also passed away of cancer a few years later. He had at that time started an oilfield consultant business and worked in that area until he retired. Dad had a passion for horses, music, dancing, reading, gardening, hunting, fishing and camping and he taught us to love these things as well. He was also fanatical about his football and rodeos. We had hoped for a chance to celebrate Dad’s 98th birthday but God had other plans. Instead we gave him over to family who had gone over before: his parents, his siblings, still born son Gary, wives Opal and Marj, and adopted son Terry. Left to remember and cherish him are: daughter Trish (Skip) Mountain and their son Ryan Mountain, special grandchildren Kevin (Kelly) and Kristy, step-son Graham (Bernie) Gristwood, much loved cousins Bob & Shirley Gamble and many extended family members. As a family we traveled many miles together with Dad and I will miss the chance to talk with you over the phone as you became less mobile. Your caregivers at the Sundre Hospital, your physicians Dr. Michelle Warren and Dr. Rob Warren and their Extended Care Unit were angels in disguise as was the Red Deer Regional Hospital where you had miracle surgery to repair your broken hip. We love you Dad and you will be remembered “always” for your smile, humour and cowboy songs.
Events
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