Darrell Eugene Gamble, 68, died at Veteran’s Hospital, Seattle on June 13, 2008 following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Spokane on Dec. 27, 1939 to Eugene Edward and Adah Caroline (Kottke) Gamble.

Shortly after his birth the Gamble family moved to Whidbey Island. They lived in Langley, Freeland, Greenbank, Coupeville and San de Fuca.

The Gamble family left the Island and purchased a home on the current site of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. During World War II, the land was claimed for the airport construction and they moved to Burien, Des Moines and White Center.

In 1957 Darrell enlisted in the Air Force. He served four years as an aircraft mechanic. Following his enlistment, he went to work for Pacific Marine Supply Company in Seattle.

Darrell enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1963. He served as a sergeant (E-5) and was assigned duty in Vietnam during the war. He was critically wounded in combat and received six Air Medals for his service and the Purple Heart for his injuries.

Darrell left the military in 1967 and returned to the Northwest. He worked as an aircraft mechanic in Seattle for a time and then left for the Grand Canyon, where he serviced helicopters for a large construction company, working within the park.

Returning to Puget Sound, he went to work for Sid’s Jeep Sales, in Issaquah.

He was involved in a serious automobile accident. The injuries he sustained in combat were increased by the accident and he was paralyzed for the remainder of his life. The VA hospital became his second home.

Darrell loved helicopters and Jeeps. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cars and the mountains. He was a founding member of the Seattle Belly Panners Jeep club and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2995 of Redmond.

Darrell is survived by nine brothers and sisters: LeRoy Gamble (Patricia) of Woodinville; Fleeda Newcombe (Gary) of West Seattle; Adah “Cookie” Harn (Tommy) of Lacey; John Gamble (Juanita) of Dayton, Nevada; William (Janet) of Manteca, California; Kathy Hunt of Coupeville; Steve Gamble of Snoqualmie; Marsha Holbroock (Bob) of Port Orchard and Gary Gamble of Woodinville. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one sister Maria Gamble and one brother Jerry Gamble.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, June 20 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Coupeville with Rev. Jerry Kienzle as celebrant. Graveside services were held at Sunnyside Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the Marine Corps.

Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.