Funeral for Charles "Bruce" Gamble, 88, of Decatur will be Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with the Reverend Rudy Guess of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. Gamble died Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Bruce lived an incredible and full life. He was born August 4, 1924, in Remlap, Alabama, to Anderson Eugene and Mary Bertha Gamble. Bruce attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham where he played baseball and football. He had a 40-year career pitching fastpitch softball all over the world in the industrial leagues and for the army. Bruce pitched and managed his army team to the All-Army Championship and to the Softball World Championship where he pitched 19 scoreless innings in a 1-0 loss to the world champion Clearwater Bombers. In 2010, Bruce was unanimously selected for induction into the Central Alabama Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in Birmingham.
Bruce served his country for 24 years as special operations Army Ranger and paratrooper jumpmaster instructor. He served during three wars: World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. In the 1960s, he returned to Woodlawn High School as the ROTC instructor. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he started Scottsboro Glass Company and was a partner in North Alabama Glass Company and Huntsville Glass Company.
He was an outgoing and active member in a number of local civic organizations including the Austin Lions Club, VFW, Elks Club, and a founding member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Mr. Gamble was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Marian Kennedy Gamble. He is survived by two sisters, Helen O'Barr and Imogene Ready, both of Birmingham; three sons, Kenneth Gamble and wife, Sharon, Kevin Gamble and Brian Gamble and wife, Denise Andrew, all of Decatur. He has six grandchildren, Jackson Gamble, Georgia Gamble, Alison Gamble, Kay Gamble, Brittany Fontaine and Morgan Gamble, all of Decatur, and ten great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Atkins, Don Dickens, Jim Little, Russell King, Sid Morris, Tony Murphy and John Randy Presswood.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 214 Johnston Street SE, Decatur, AL 35601 or Meals on Wheels, 1510 4th Avenue SE, Decatur, AL 35601.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
September 28, 2013
Lori Reina
You will always be remembered.
June 21, 2013
to his new beginning and all of the cherished memories!
June 16, 2013
joanne kevin mullican
Kevin knew Bruce better than Idid but, from what short time Idid know him he was very sweet and kind man always smiling Iknow he will be greatly missed by alot of people.May GOD bless the whole family and dry your tears love and prayers joanne and kevin
June 16, 2013
Jason Boyd
Bruce was a great man. I really will miss sitting and talking to him.
June 15, 2013
Tony Camp
You we're a very nice and personable friend Bruce. We'll miss you at the River City Eagles Brother!
June 15, 2013
lynn boyd
I am so sorry for the passing of Bruce, he was such a wonderful person and I have always loved him so much! Have so many great memories of him. I just found out about this or I would have been there! He will be missed by so many--he has touched so many lives in so many ways!
June 15, 2013
Brenda Parker
Ken, Brian, Kevin and Family,
Bruce was a super #1 boss. I loved working with him. I loved all the stories he told us over the years and he was always so pleasant. He could also tell you if you were doing something wrong without getting mad, but he got the message across. Every one loved him.I will miss him more than you will ever know and may God bless you all with all the good memories.
June 15, 2013
Bonnie & Tommy Collins
Ken, Kevin and Brian, I am so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. He was a wonderful man, I enjoyed knowing him, and the stories he would tell. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
June 15, 2013
Ron and Sharon Johnston
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We will miss seeing and talking to Bruce.
June 14, 2013
Mike & Yvette Klooster
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
June 14, 2013
Duane & Janice Ready
It is with sincere sympathy and regret that we share this note of condolences to Bruce's immediate family in this time of loss and celebration. You will be missed. I have many fond memories over many years based on our family gatherings and experiences. Few people have lived as full a life and I am sure that you will be remembered by many many friends and associates for all the interactions and escapades over the years. Rest in piece knowing that you added much to the many lives that you and your family touched over the years.
June 13, 2013
Troy&Christa Barbin
Bruce was a good man, a patriot and legendary softball pitcher. He will be missed.
June 13, 2013
Angie Smith
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was a very special friend to us all. He will surely be miss. God Speed My Friend!
June 13, 2013
Karen
I'm so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed!! I'll miss our dance in the white sportscoat and pink carnation! love you Mr. Bruce
June 13, 2013
Martha Jesen
So sorry to hear about Bruce. Had the pleasure of knowing and doing business with him for many years. Your family will be in my prayers.
June 13, 2013
Admiration is what I feel today about Bruce. Very strong self made man and so deserving of the love we all feel for him today. I love you Bruce Charles...
June 13, 2013
Rhenda Pearce
Bruce will be greatly missed, I got the pleasure to know Bruce on a daily bases I worked at the Elks Lodge for over 20 years and I got to see his smiling face almost every day, and I will never forget my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless you all. Rhenda Pearce.
June 13, 2013
Doug Haskew
I served in the Korean War with Bruce, and we were both Rangers, and he was always a pleasant, dedicated man who loved his country. I thank the Lord for his service.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Funeral services provided by:
Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery741 Danville Road SW, Decatur, AL 35601
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more