Julius Gamble Obituary

Julius "J.P." Gamble Lane, SC - Julius Pendergrass "J.P." Gamble, Sr., 87, of Lane, SC died on Thursday, November 19, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born on April 11, 1928, to Samuel Wayne and Theresa Register Gamble in the Gourdin community near Lane, SC. He was predeceased by his brother, S. Wayne Gamble, Jr.; his sister, Blanche Gamble (Alton) McCullough; and a son, David Ford Gamble. He was educated in Greeleyville schools and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1950. He was a member of the SAE fraternity. After college, he returned to the family farm in the Gourdin area. In addition to farming, he worked for the US Department of Agriculture and in the Williamsburg County Economic Development Office as Economic Development Director and Grants Administrator. He married Eunice Temple Ford of Holly Hill, SC on July 18, 1952, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. He loved aviation and logged almost 7,000 hours as a private pilot. He flew until he was 76 years old, and was a member of the Quiet Birdmen. He was proud of the four generations of pilots in his family beginning with his father in the 1930s, followed by himself, his sons David and Larry, and his grandson Stuart. He led the development of the Williamsburg County Airport, and secured many grants for its construction "Mr. JP", as he was affectionately known, was devoted to his family, faith, friends, farm and community. He was a lifelong member of the Greeleyville United Methodist Church and served in many capacities including as chairman of the Trustees. He was a 32nd degree Mason who earned his 60-year certificate, and served as Lodge Master for two terms. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard, and attained the rank of Captain in the Field Artillery Company in Kingstree. He was active in the Kingstree Rotary Club and served two terms as president. He is survived by his wife, Eunice; his son Julius P. (Jay) Gamble, Jr and wife Jane of Sunapee, NH; his daughter-in-law Cynthia (Cindy) Cranford Gamble of Greensboro, NC, wife of his late son David; his daughter Catherine (Cathy) Gamble of Lane, SC; and his son William Lawrence (Larry) Gamble and wife Edith of Milwaukee, WI. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Sarah Gamble (Jesse) Lamas and Caroline Gamble; Stuart, Andrew and Christopher Gamble; and, Whitney, Theresa and William (Billy) Gamble, Jr.; and by five nieces and nephews: Kay Molnar, S. Wayne Gamble, III, Louise Murray, Theresa Gamble, and Alton H. McCullough, Jr. He is also survived by many cousins and extended family members. A Memorial Service will be held at the Greeleyville United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 22 at 2pm followed by burial in the New Market Cemetery. Visiting hours will be at the Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree on Saturday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greeleyville United Methodist Church, PO Box 247, Greeleyville, SC 29056. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston