Thomas Gamble

On October 24, 1928, in Heavener, Oklahoma, a son was born to Thomas Steven and Lula Phelps Gamble. They named their son Thomas Edward. Tommy’s father died when Tommy was 13 years old. His uncle Jim of Rufe, Oklahoma took him in even when he had 10 children of his own. Tommy grew to be a quiet, gentle man who loved the Bible. While living at Rufe, he found the love of his life when he met Maxine. They were married in 1949 and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. To this union, two children were born: Tony Jack and Sheila Kay. Tommy enlisted in the Army National Guard and served two tours in the Korean war as a medic. Tommy liked to go bird watching at the Salt Plains of Oklahoma along with his family and his brother and sister-in-law ‘s family. Other vacations were taken in the mountains of Colorado. Tommy could play the guitar and the fiddle. Upon hearing bluegrass music, he then learned to play the banjo. He loved playing music with relatives at family reunions. Tommy retired from FAA at Will Rogers World Airport at the age of 55. He was glad to have more time to play checkers and chess. But his greatest enjoyment was watching his two granddaughters as they played and as they grew. When the great grands came along, he loved watching them! As long as he was able Tommy attended the Moore Central Church of Christ. Following Maxine’s death, Tommy’s health declined rapidly. On February 14, 2023, he passed from this life at the age of 94.
Besides Maxine, his wife of 74 years, he was also preceded in death by his parents; his brother Bill; and by his son, Tony.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter Sheila Henson and husband Gary of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; granddaughters: Tenia Shai Patterson and husband Keith of Macomb, Oklahoma and Trissi Rene Johnson and husband Brandon of Macomb, Oklahoma; great grandchildren; Stetson, Maggie, Hope, Zeb, Ethan, Elijah and Cameron; his dear sister-in-law, Oleta Parker; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.