James Hugh Gamble

1937 - 2016

James (Jim) Hugh Gamble passed away in La Quinta, CA on August 20, 2016, with friends and family nearby. He was born in Kilgore, Texas, November 29, 1937, the son of Eloise and James Gamble and eldest of three children, James, Jerry and Anne. His early years were filled with Methodist summer camps, Boy Scouts, model airplanes and newspaper routes.

As a teen, he was an active Eagle Scout, receiving the coveted God and Country Award. He studied piano and saxophone and played with his high school marching band. Intrigued with woodworking, he developed a new hobby and began to build and perform with marionettes in his hometown of Jefferson, Texas.

He attended North Texas State University and the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a commission as a USAF pilot in 1960. Gamble and his family spent four happy years serving his country in England, Turkey and Germany. His puppetry talents were much appreciated in Europe, with many special awards and notable performances.

Returning to the States in 1966, Gamble became a pilot for Continental Airlines, settling with his family in Palos Verdes, where daughters Wendy and Misty graduated from PV High. CAL often tapped Gamble as a goodwill ambassador for the airline, sponsoring public puppet performances in the US and overseas. He completed an MBA in Aerospace/Operations Management from USC.

Gamble retired early from the airline, added other talented puppeteers to his company and determined to make puppetry a full-time career. Performing as roster artists for the California Arts Council, LA's Music Center on Tour and the Orange County Performing Art Center, Gamble puppets were in high demand and soon performing across the US and around the world.

Jim was an artist, an internationally renowned performer, a military pilot, an airline captain, and an intrepid traveler. He loved people, he loved creating happiness in his audiences, he loved his family, and he loved exploring the world. And he was much loved in return.

He is survived by his wife, Francine Gamble, daughters Wendy Gamble (Moustakas) and Misty Gamble, their mother Marty Gamble, brother Gerald Gamble and sister Anne Pyle, grandson Atticus Moustakas, step-children Keri Church Gilbert, Darren Church and Jill Richardson, and step-granddaughter Analisa Church.

He is survived by his wife, Francine, his brother Gerald Gamble and his Sister Anne Pyle, two daughters, Wendy and Misty and one grandson, Atticus