Don Max Gamble
1939-2009
Donald Max Gamble died on Monday, January 5th 2009 as the result of a fatal ski accident at the Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California. At the time of his accident he was vacationing with his wife, five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The annual family ski trip was an event looked forward to by the entire family. Don, affectionately known as Max by his family of origin, was born in Pocatello, Idaho on December 4th 1939. Born at only 2.1 lbs. he and his twin sister Maxine were the 10th and 11th children of 13 born to James Gamble and Emma Marsh Gamble. He moved with his family to Salt Lake City in 1944 where he grew up. He claimed that in Elementary School he received special permission to check out books at the middle school library because he had read all the books in his own school library. Reading remained a passion of his throughout his life. In the middle of 10th grade he quit school at Jordan High School to get a job and save money to marry his first love Clara Lucy Kidd. They married at the age of 16 in 1956. They were the parents of four children, Roshelle, Jodi, Shawn, and Timandra and were married until Clair's death in 1984. While serving in the US Army as a paratrooper for three years he decided to move his family to Europe which he did in 1965. He spent the remainder of his life building a successful Insurance and Investment Services Agency with agents throughout Europe and the United States. He was a dedicated salesman and leader who led his agency to the top of the industry every year for decades. After moving to Germany in his mid-20's Don started the Fros-T-Dog Ice Cream factory which was a favorite endeavor of his children. Don was beloved by all who knew him, family and friends alike. He had a joke for all occasions, was a natural entertainer and motivator and loved to help others fulfill their goals and dreams. He enjoyed skiing, gambling, eating good food, drinking good wine, reading good books and having a good nap. Spending time with family and friends was important to him and he made a powerful impression on all who knew him. He touched and uplifted the lives of countless people throughout his life. After Clair's death Don fell in love and married the beautiful Carrie Pettey in a romantic ceremony in Gibraltar in 1986. They have been married for 24 years and have a fabulous daughter named Sasha. 10 years of their married life were spent in Austin Texas where Don started his own Insurance Company. The past 14 years have been spent living in Dardago, Italy where they are greatly loved by their friends and neighbors. Carrie has been a great blessing to Don as her energy and enthusiasm for life has enriched his life and brought him immense happiness over the past two and a half decades.Don was a very close friend to my father and mother... and because of that, he was a very close to all the kids in my family. We all came to know and love Don as we grew up. He was caring, nice and hilarious. He will always be loved in our hearts and we will miss him immensely.
I found this poem and I really liked it... I hope you all do too.
Love Lives On
"Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, far as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart. "
-Mary Alice Ramish-
Here are a couple pictures I had from my trip to Europe that had him in it. I'm so glad I was able to see him and be able to spend time with him so recently. That's how I will always remember him.
