Jack was born on August 5, 1941 in Barberton, Ohio to the late John and Rose Gabler. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 47 years, Lyla Holland Gabler; and brother, Gerald Gabler. He was raised in a small farming community in Clinton, OH. Jack was a graduate of Ohio University in Athens, OH with a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He taught history at a private high school in Hudson, OH before embarking on a career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Corporation. He spent thirty years with the company and spent a most of that time as a production manager in the corporation’s subsidiary Kelly Springfield Tire Company in Fayetteville, NC.
Jack’s primary focus was always on his family, his wife Lyla and their five children. He was a huge proponent of higher education and worked hard to fund each of his children’s undergraduate degrees. He coached little league sports for his three boys and attended dance recitals for his daughters as they were growing up. He enjoyed traveling locally in the United States as well as abroad with his children and grandchildren. Jack had a strong interest in his family ancestry and a few years back traveled with his son to the birth place of his grandfather in Slovenia. Jack had a strong faith and generous heart and gave time and treasure to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Junior Achievement USA. As a child, he spent time as an alter server alongside his brother and was an avid member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC for 30 years. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, cooking, and watching Duke basketball. Some of his fondest memories were attending games at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Every year at Christmas time, he baked his mother’s family recipe for traditional Slovenian bread and enjoyed eating at the finest restaurants in every town he visited. He was most proud of his role as a doting grandfather to his nine grandchildren and loved to entertain them with silly nicknames and mind stimulating riddles.
He is survived by his children, Scott M. Gabler (Doris) of Atlanta, GA, Jodi R Strickland (Mitch) of Chapel Hill, NC, Brian T. Gabler (Zoya) of Karlsruhe, Germany, David K. Gabler (Amy) of Cornelius, NC and Karla N. Fulghum (Matt) of Apex, NC.; Grandchildren, Jack, Joseph, Ella, Lyla, Maya, Meghan, Josie, Ray and Ivan.
A memorial mass will be held on April 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church with an interment to follow at St. Andrew Catholic Church Columbarium in Apex, NC. Friends and family are welcome to a reception following the interment.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be donated to:
The Juvenile Diabetes Association (www.2.jdrf.org) PO Box 37920, Boone, IA 50037-0920
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital ([email protected]) 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Fond memories and expressions of condolences can be shared at apexfuneral.net for the Gabler family.
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