Paul E. Gamble

Paul E. Gamble, 93, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 4:55 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, Fort Wayne. Born November 14, 1922 in Whitley County, he was the son of Omer E. and Opal Marie (Edgington) Gamble.

He has spent his entire life in the Whitley County area, growing up on the family farm off State Road 114 south of Columbia City along with his brothers, Duane, Doyle, Gerald, Dale, Verlin and sister, Waneta.

As a young boy Paul knew the value of hard work and saved his money whenever he could. Unfortunately when the stock market crashed in 1929, Paul lost all $12 he had been saving in his bank account. That did not deter him from being a hard worker and that was one of the characteristics he was known for, especially with the effort he put into helping with the Chauncey Street project of restoring the brick road.

When Paul was not working, he enjoyed playing basketball and loved playing baseball with his brothers. He graduated from Washington Center High School with the Class of 1940. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and served in the Europe Theater. While in the Army, he met a young gal by the name of Arlis Dunn at the Happy Valley Roller Rink. When he got home, they two were married on September 21, 1945 at First Church of God.

He went on to work for the Dana Corp. in Fort Wayne for 39 years and was a member of the First Church of God in Columbia City. With the love of sports, Paul was able to pass this on to not only his daughter Sandra, but even to his grandchildren. He would take Sandra to the local high school sporting events and as she got older take her and her friends not only to the local games, but followed the teams as they competed out of town. After becoming a grandpa, he found enjoyment of getting them involved with sports and loved to attend any of their sporting events.

When he was not watching sports, he would spend time woodworking, tinkering around the house, and gardening and tending to his tomatoes plants that he was so proud of. Paul enjoyed traveling as he and Arlis would vacation at Myrtle Beach each summer and he visited every state besides Alaska and even traveled to Europe and the Holy Land in Israel twice.

Paul will be deeply missed by his loving family. Survivors include his daughter, Sandra (Paul R.) Kayser of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren, Kelly (Mike) Gomes, Sarah (Duane) Shipley, Sam (Melanie) Kayser and Elizabeth Kayser; 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlis Gamble in 2007; brothers, Duane, Doyle, Gerald, Dale, Verlin Buck Gamble; and sister, Waneta Hesting.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 12 to 1:45 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with his funeral service to start at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at South Park Annex Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Gambles memory to Wounded Warrior Project.