Thomas E. Gamble

Thomas E. Gamble “former Coudersport, Pa. resident”

ROYSE CITY, Texas---Thomas E. “Tom” Gamble, 77, of Royse City, formerly of Coudersport, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 16, 2021.
Born on Monday, August 23, 1943, in Mineola, N.Y., he was a son of Edwin Durwood Gamble and Jane Elizabeth McElroy Gamble Gardner. On October 14, 2006 in Coudersport, he married Linda M. Grupp Cogley, who survives.
Tom was a graduate of Coudersport High School, Class of 1962. He received a Master’s Degree from Amberton University. Upon graduation from high school, Tom enlisted in the US Air Force on July 1, 1962. His military career spanned 27 years. He started his Air Force flying career on the C-124 and went to Vietnam on the C-123. In 1978, he transferred to Oklahoma where he served as an Instructor Flight Engineer with the 57th MAS, Superintendent of the 443rd TTS FE’S and was the 443rd MAW Basic Flight Engineer. His last assignment was at AFMPC as the Enlisted Air Crew Assignments Manager. He retired as a Master Sargent on July 31, 1989.
After his military career, he was employed at Hughes Training in Arlington, Texas on the C-141 training program. Tom was later employed at Lockhead Martin in Ft. Worth, Texas, retiring in January of 2020, after 20 years of service.
Tom was well loved in the community. He enjoyed being in his outbuilding/upholstery shop. He enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. An excellent bowler, Tom had several 300 games. He enjoyed bowling with his grandchildren. He and Linda attended the Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas.
Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Tina (Gary) Dillingham of Weatherford, Texas, Michael Gamble of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Karen (Patrick) Nelson of Coudersport, Pa., and Chanin (Phillip) Owens of Royse City; five grandchildren, Justin, Melanie, Ava, Austin, and Ariana; five great-grandchildren, Haydyn, Carter, Austin, Kinsley, and Adelynn; four brothers, John (Ann) Gamble of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Lawrence (Sally) Gardner of Okemos, Michigan, Peter (Doris) Gardner of Mifflinburg, Pa., and Paul (Deborah) Gardner of Duncansville, Pa.; a sister, Betty (James) Leet of Coudersport, Pa.; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Tom was predeceased by his parents.
Family and friends may call from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, Pa., where funeral services will follow at 1pm with Pastor Lynn Geiser of Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle, officiating. Burial will be in Sweden Hill Cemetery, Coudersport.
Members of the Potter County Guard will accord full military honors on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.
Tom’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Tom, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.