David Eugene Gamble

Let's Review: David Eugene Gamble was born February 7, 1962, in Seattle, WA to Bill and Peggy Gamble and passed away at his home in Buckley, WA May 11, 2024, after a long battle with COPD. He was an accomplished welder, an excellent marksman & horse trainer. Dave grew up in Kent and was the third child born into a family of eight kids. Coming from a large family, he welcomed his blended family with his bride, Mariah. She loved him well and he adored her completely. In addition to the family he loved, he enjoyed his horses and hunting. He was an expert sharpshooter, winning high marks and alternated state trap-shooting championships with his brother Bill. As shared by Bill, “If I lucked out and won an event, Dave liked to say: ‘You didn’t shoot well. Everyone else just shot poorly.’” Dave was a cowboy at heart and perfected his ability to rope. He enjoyed teaching the kids and others how to rope as well. He enjoyed his horses and was at ease riding and working around them. Our Cowboy’s most famous trick was perfectly captured by his mom in his “Hi Ho Silver” pose with his horse, Jock. His grandkids enjoyed the hours upon hours of cowboy stories with treasured borrowed phrases from his brother, Steve like: “It’s not a practice life,” "...There I was, lucky to be alive...” and the aforementioned "Let's review" that he picked up along the way. He would use these phrases often while teaching them the details about horsemanship as well as life lessons. While COPD slowed him down and limited his ability to pursue his passions, he spent the last few years creating memories with his grandkids. He read stories, taught them their numbers, songs, and card games. They spent a lot of time together, and he made sure to teach them the things that mattered. And now he knows for sure whether Sasquatches are real. Dave is survived by his devoted wife Mariah, stepsons, Ben (Jayden) and Jake (Sarah) Smith; step-kids Kevin and Trisha Lusk; mother, Peg Gamble; siblings: Kathy Williamson, Fran Carpenter, Bill Gamble, Steve Gamble, Anne Gannom, Sheila Hughes, Tom Gamble, and each of their families, including 15 nieces and nephews, six great-nieces and nephews and six grandchildren. He is predeceased by his dad, William E. Gamble and other treasured family members who have now greeted him in heaven. The Memorial for Dave is scheduled for July 6th at Buckley Eagles Hall, 1-4pm. If you would like to join us in celebrating his life, we would love to see you! It will be a potluck, so feel free to bring your favorite memories and a dish to share. A memory book that was created for Dave last summer and updated after his death can be found at: https://www.shutterfly.com/share-product/?shareid=2389d5b7-00d2-4ad5-b0b4-cb3c3a502d19&cid=SHARPRDWEBMPRLNK His family appreciates your thoughts and prayers