Charles Gamble

Charles Augustus Gamble, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, educator and wildland firefighter died suddenly at home from a heart attack at the young age of 73. After spending half his life with physical ailments, Dad is now free from pain and able to reunite with his eternal companion Vivian.

Born in Cedar City, Utah to Charles A. Gamble Sr. and Margaret Prusse Gamble, he had a wonderful childhood exploring the close-by foothills for artifacts, hunting, fishing, and playing marbles for "keeps". He was a graduate of Cedar City High School and continued his education at the College of Southern Utah. He met Vivian at a Cedar City floral shop where she was working, while he was buying flowers for another gal... serendipity. They married September 17, 1960 (later solemnized in the Provo Temple). Charlie and Vivian moved to Logan for a short time while he finished his studies in Forestry, then returned to Cedar City to finish his senior year of studies.

After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, he moved his young family to Vernal in 1965 to start his 32-year career as a teacher. He taught for seven years at Todd Elementary, 22 years at Central School, and three years at Ashley. He often said he had no more than a fifth grade education. During these years he managed to raise a family with five fairly well adjusted kids.

Never one to be cooped up throughout the year, he worked his summer months from 1958 - 1991 with the Dixie National Forest, Ashley National Forest, Vernal BLM, and with the Ouray National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Charlie was respected throughout the Basin as a top-notch wildland firefighter. It thrilled him to be able to pass on his knowledge of fire and the finer points of Pulaski throwing to the rookies.

Making life-long friendships came easy for Charlie. He was well-known and respected for his sense of humor, practical jokes on the cooks at the schools, and tall tales. Others may have known him as the crotchety old guy with the heart of gold who like to visit. Charlie loved hunting and being outdoors whenever he could. Anybody whom really knew him would say he was the best shot with any weapon they'd seen... including homemade slingshots. He volunteered this passion for the outdoors with the Uintah County Search and Rescue for a number of years until his health no longer permitted.

Charlie was a member of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints. While often tempered with a few cuss words here and there, Charlie had a testimony of the Gospel and tried as best he could to pass that along to his children.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Vivian Lamoreaux Gamble; parents, Charles and Margaret Gamble; and brother Ronald Gamble. Surviving Charles are his Children Nannette Empey of West Jordan, Mark (Denise) Gamble of West Jordan, Chris (Kalene) Gamble of Vernal, Amy (Mark) Nicholson of Price, and Casey of West Jordan. Grandpa fuzzy whiskers will be missed by his wild-bunch of grandkids.

A viewing will be held Tuesday July 17, 2012 at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday July 18, 2012 at the Vernal 9th Ward Chapel (200 West 250 North) at 11 am with a viewing prior to services from 9:45-10:45am. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com