Don was born on February 19, 1935 to Robert W. Gamble and Daisy Grace Gamble in Clinton, Ohio. Don was the youngest of five children, Louise, Dorothy, Robert Jr. and Patricia Gamble, all of whom preceded him in death.
At a young age the Gamble family moved to Dayton, Ohio. Don completed K-12 and graduated high school from Garfield High.
Don was 19 when he joined the USAF and was accepted into the Air Force Cadet Aviation Academy. Don finished aviation school in 1955 where his mother, Daisy Gamble, pinned his wings at graduation.
Don spent the next 20 years flying various fighter planes. He flew the F86 at McChord AFB when they had the Fighter Interceptor Squad there. He flew the F102's at Tindle AFB and at Miami National Airport during The Bay of Pigs invasion.
Don was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bronze Medal for extarodinary achievements as a fighter pilot, flying the F4e Phantoms, in Vietnam.
After Vietnam, Major Gamble was stationed at Los Angeles International Airport where he served as base operations officer, T-37 jet trainer, and Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO). Also flying Generals and executives around the country.
While stationed in Los Angeles, Don earned his Bachelor's of Science degree and a Masters Business Associates (MBA) degree.
Don retired from the USAF on June 1, 1974 and returned to Washington state to live after being discharged.
During his unemployment he sent out many resumes. After a year of being turned down as either being overqualified for a Vietnam vet, the Department of Social and Health Services hired Don, where he continued to work until he retired. Don retired from DSHS as the Deputy Regional Director for Region 6 in February of 1997.
In 1992 Don met Cindy. They would become good friends and that friendship would evolve into marriage and a lifetime commitment until Don's death.
Don was father to four children: Gregory, Robert, Katie, and Adam. When Don married Cindy he became dad to Cindy's children: TyAnn, Denzil, Timothy and Traci. Don was also a father figure to Matthew, Sarah, and Shelly. From the eight children, there are seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Don and Cindy were active with their church until his fragile immune system made participation in gatherings come to a halt. He enjoyed two mission trips to Argentina, where he participated in the building churches.
Travel took Don and Cindy backpacking in Europe for a month where their teenage daughter would eventually join them for two weeks.
Later they joined their best friends, the Ellisons and Parshalls, on an amazing trip to Israel where Don was baptized in the Jordan River. Camel riding in Petra became a standing joke as it was not a pleasant experience for Don and he earned the nickname "Camel Jack". That trip would create memories that will live on for us always.
Don's hobby was woodworking, his home, gardening and trying to outwit his nemesis, The Beaver. He loved going to his log cabin retreat on Anderson Island, Elvis Presley gospel, Will Nelson, country music, and John Wayne movies.
At a Willy Nelson concert at the Gorge, Don was mistaken for Willy Nelson and asked for an autograph.
Don loved his Lord and Savior! His priority was GOD, Cindy, Family and Country. Don was a man of convictions who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.
Family and friends would visit the family home usually receive his following customary blessing on their way out:
May The Lord Bless and keep you.
Make his face to shine upon you.
And be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26)
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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