Charles Edward Gamble

Charles Edward Gamble passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022. A private burial was held at Gerald Cemetery. A memorial service will take place Saturday, November 5, at 1:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Waco.

Charles was born March 12, 1929, in McAllen, Texas, to Asa and Alice Bremer Gamble. Charles grew up in Leroy. He graduated from West High School at the age of 16 and was salutatorian of the class of 1945. He graduated from Baylor University in 1948, and Baylor College of Medicine in 1952. He interned at Milwaukee County General Hospital, Wisconsin, 1952-53. In Milwaukee, Charles met Geneva Waldsmith and they married April 4, 1953. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine in June of 1953. Charles was drafted into the US Army Medical Corps, Rank of Captain, and as a pediatrician was attached to the combat ready 25th Infantry Division, stationed in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks and later at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu. He completed his pediatric training in 1957.

Charles and Geneva moved to Waco in 1957 and he established a practice at the Children’s Clinic with Dr. Charles Shellenberger and Dr. Jack Flowers. He was the first Board certified pediatrician to establish a permanent practice in Waco. He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in 1960 and was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the AMA, TMA, McLennan County Medical Society, and Texas Pediatric Society. In 1996, he joined Hillcrest Family Health Clinic and practiced at Baylor, Scott & White until his retirement in August 2016.

Charles was the pediatrician for Waco’s Methodist Children’s Home and conducted well-child clinics for McLennan County for over 40 years. He served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church and along with Geneva was a youth sponsor on a two-week mission trip to Mexico. He was Cotton Palace King in 1996. He also served on the school board for Reicher Catholic High School and on the Board of Directors for Evangelia Home and Waco Heart Association. He and Geneva were part-time volunteers for Meals on Wheels and bell ringers for the Salvation Army at Christmas.

One of his greatest joys in life was seeing his patients outside of the office and having a chance to talk to them about their memories of visiting Dr. Gamble in his office. He always enjoyed visiting with former patients.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Louise Beasley and Jeanette Jones; daughter, Jane Bower; and wife, Geneva Gamble.

He is survived by his brother Asa Gamble; daughter, Mary Alice Lyman; son, Charles E. Gamble II; granddaughters, Alice Lyman, Anna Ousley, and Meagan Bower; and great-grandson, Fox Charles Ousley.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Sheehy, Cliff Breitweg, Bubs Young, Bill Porter, Harry Slade, and Bob Nielsen.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Mission Waco, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Methodist Children’s Home, Waco, or a charity of your choice.