Roll Call Tribute

Martin Funeral Home obituary
128 North Resler Drive, El Paso, TX 79912 | 915-584-1234

James Halbert Gambrell Jr.
February 2, 1920 - June 7, 2016

GAMBRELL
Lt Col James Halbert Gambrell, Jr (U S Army, ret.) passed away June 7, 2016 in El Paso surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edwina Price Gambrell. Survivors include his wife, Virginia (Byrd); daughters Karol Garmon (Tom), Viki Trask (Jeff), and Debi Brooks (George); grandchildren Rebecca Winn, Wayne (Buster) Winn, Brenton Brooks, and Breanna Brooks; Great-Grandchildren Dylan and Taylor Winn, Mason, Kale, and Lily Mendoza; Nephews Jim Maxon (Jackie), Jack Maxon (Carroll), and Earl Maxon; and a whole "posse" of cousins, extended family, and friends. A Celebration Of Life will be held at Martin Funeral Home, West on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 10:30 AM with viewing held from 9 – 10 beforehand. Interment with full military honors will be at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery at 1:00 PM . Pallbearers include Jeff Trask, George Brooks, Jim, Jack, Earl, and James Maxon, Buster Winn and Brenton Brooks. The El Paso Sheriff's Posse will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Born February 2, 1920 in El Paso, Hal attended Crockett School and then Austin High School where he played the inaugural football game in R. E. McKee Stadium. He completed high school at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. After Junior College at NMMI, he finished his Range Management degree by attending Texas A & M and New Mexico State, thus making him an "Aggie" to the second power.
Hal's early years and education were to prepare him to be a rancher but our nation's wars and conflicts always seemed to get in the way. While Hal worked countless youthful hours as a cowboy on ranches all over the Southwest, he had the heart of a "cavalry soldier" during his illustrious military career, including combat in WWII in North Africa, Italy, and France. After WWII he worked with the Bureau of Range Management, but the Korean War broke out so he was sent overseas once again, this time as an intelligence officer on an island off of North Korea. Just a few of the many awards, badges and medals he earned during 25 years of active duty service include 3 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, The Cavalry Medal and a Letter of Commendation from the Central Intelligence Agency.
Hal's civic involvements ranged from charter membership in the U. S. Horse Cavalry Association, President of the El Paso Sheriff's Posse, President of Downtown Kiwanis; Lt. Governor of the Southwest Kiwanis Int'l.; Past Director of the Sun Bowl Association; to being a board member of the El Paso Historical Society.
Family was the most important thing in his life. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, uncle, brother and mentor to not just his three girls, but to nephews, cousins, sons-in-law and numerous friends of the family. For the past 20 years, Hal would preside over Thursday night family gatherings at Avila's with his warmth, love and humor. Anyone at the table was considered "family" on Thursday nights. Hal was the initiator of quadrennial family reunions beginning in the 1970's. The gatherings brought family together from all over the world. He never missed a reunion and the memories we are left with will ensure his presence once again at this summer's reunion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to support CCTA (College & Career Technology Academy), an EPISD school for at-risk students, in care of Debi Brooks at 832 Rollins Ct, El Paso, TX 79932.