Robert Gabriel

Robert Rowe Gabriel CHARLOTTE - Robert Rowe Gabriel passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014. He was born to Myrtis Rowe Gabriel and Miles Sigmon Gabriel on Sept. 18, 1929. After graduating from Mt. Holly High School Class of 1948, Bob went into the Navy, serving on the USS Tarawa and USS Coral Sea aircraft carriers during the Korean War. He was trained in electronics and when he returned home he went to work for Thomas A. Edison Company, makers of dictating machines for 15 years. In 1969 he joined Leesona Corporation, a textile machinery company where he was one of their international sales engineers until his retirement in 1992. Bob was a 53 year member of Christ Methodist Church where he served in many capacities; Board of Trustees, Methodist Men's Club, mission trips to Homestead, Fla., Gulfport Miss., eastern North Carolina after tornados and hurricanes, and the local district missions. He was also a member of the Glen Lackey Sunday School Class. Bob was a member of the Paw Creek American Legion Post, and Mt. Holly Masonic Lodge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by step-father Henry McCarn, brother, US "Gus" Gabriel, grandson Rodney Miles Gabriel and nephew Brent Gabriel. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Edna Carol Smith Gabriel; son, Kevin Miles Gabriel of Florida; daughters, Missy Gabriel of the home and Nancy Parrish and husband Stan of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Allison and Beck Parrish. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Christ Methodist Church with Reverends Jim Humphries and Donnie Mitchem officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Christ Methodist Church, 8020 Bellhaven Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith St., Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service. 4601 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC. On-line condolences may be placed at www.forestlawnwest.com.