Dr. James Gamble

James Arthur Gamble entered into this life on October 20,1942, and took his final ride on August 8, 2022; almost 3 months shy of having spent 80 years.

Born to Arthur Earl Gamble and Mary Elizabeth Bickley Gamble in Lubbock, Texas, Jim was raised in Lubbock and attended Monterey High School (Class of 1961) and completed his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech University in 1966 where he studied agricultural education and minored in animal husbandry.  Following college, he served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant from 1966-1968 and was stationed at Ft. Erwin near Barstow, California. Although trained as an infantry officer, his official Army duty was as the post subsistence/commissary officer and mortuary affairs officer, he magnified his leadership and organizational skills through understanding human behavior and compassion for others.  Jim was known and often recognized for his lifelong service to others.

Jim taught Vocational Agriculture for 12 years in California while attending the University of San Diego for his MS in Educational Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Special Education (1975).  He served in various roles while teaching in Imperial, California including tenure as the director of guidance and counseling, director of special education, oversight of the gifted program, supervisor of the migrant education program, FFA advisor, and judo coach. In 1981 he earned his doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Psychology with a minor in Psychology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and began his work as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Jim worked on farms and ranches from the 6th grade through college and remained engaged in ranching for the rest of his life.  He loved riding horses and mules and treasured Rancho Santiago as an opportunity to stay grounded and to engage with friends and neighbors such as Chris Kennann, Jordan Hughes, and several others over the years who were widely recognized as Jim and Maria’s “chosen sons”. Together they assisted with the work of the ranch in the advancement of mule training, cart & wagon competitions, raising Catahoula hounds, and appreciating nature from his property on the Caprock.  All were welcomed and many friends of Jim and Maria did indeed “come and sit for a while”.  Jim was once quoted as saying, “working with mules and Catahoulas restores my soul”.  Jim was especially skilled in the art of “southern soften” and was masterful in his chosen professions of professional counseling and training horses and mules.  He often commented that the two were quite similar in nature.

Jim delighted in mentoring; particularly young people from early elementary age through adults who were figuring out who they were becoming and how to manifest their dreams. Through his counseling work for Lubbock Independent School District and within the community, he mentored and supervised emerging counselors in addition to sharing freely of his experiences and lessons learned along his journey. To say that Jim lived his work would also be to say that he was always authentic as a cowboy, counselor, and southern gentleman. His gentle but “no BS” approach to counseling was extended over 36 years and impacted the lives of hundreds of students and colleagues as he teamed up with teachers, school administrators, and parents to help young people become their best selves.

Jim married his beloved Maria de Jesus Mora on July 11, 1987, in Lubbock and they recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Theirs was an amazing love story of total commitment, joy, and caring. They have been long-time members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Lubbock.

Jim enjoyed hobbies including fishing, travel, photography, and all things ranching. He was a collector of people, not things.

Among those left to honor and cherish his memory are his deeply loved and treasured wife Maria de Jesus Mora - Gamble, his daughter Shannon Gamble, grandson Josh Sanderson, great-grandchildren Paitlyn Powers and Conner Powers, sister-in-law Robin Gamble Dillard, and many friends.

Jim is pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Elizabeth Ann Gamble (1948-1948), his brother Robert Lynn “P.J.Belly” Gamble (1949-1999), his son James Angus Gamble (1977-1998), granddaughter Ashly Powers Gamble (1994-2020), and mother-in-law, Rebeca Mora (1925-2017).

Rosary will be held on Friday evening, August 19, 2022 at 6 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lubbock Meals on Wheels 2304 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79411. (https://lubbockmealsonwheels.org/donate-info/)