James Arthur Gamble, Jr.

James Arthur Gamble, Jr., 77, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief argument with cancer. Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pauline, son Geoffrey and husband Kevin Metzger, son Ronald and wife Jennifer, daughter Pamela Djigounian and husband Arek, and daughter Laura Cope and husband Jeff. He was "Grandpa" to McKenzie and Palmer Gamble, and "Papa" to Mallory Journigan, Lindsey and Alissa Cope, and Matthew Djigounian. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Ann and James Arthur Gamble, Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia Mack in 2010. Jim was a graduate of Har-Brack High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1962, he began his career with General Electric Company, working at locations in Louisville, KY, Pittsfield, MA, and Utica, NY, before coming to Chesapeake in 1971 to work at the plant in Suffolk. In 1986, he joined the Norfolk Naval Shipyard where he had 26 years of service and earned many awards for appreciation of special achievement before taking a well-deserved retirement in 2010 at the age of 75. Jim enjoyed music, especially singing in the church choir many years and as a member of the Commodores, a local Barbershop chorus. Over the years, he was an avid bowler and golfer, and in later life, he enjoyed quiet time working in his yard and tending to his koi pond. All those who knew and loved him will miss him and his never-ending sense of humor. From 1957 to 1959, Jim served as a PFC in the United States Army, and his remains will be entombed in a private family ceremony at the Albert G. Horton, Jr., Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk. A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 6 p.m. The family would like to thank his doctors, especially James Snyder of Sentara Surgery Specialists and J. Randy Howard of Virginia Oncology, for unsurpassed care and compassion. Also, thanks to the nurses and staff of Sentara Leigh Hospital, and the many angels of the Sentara Bridge/Hospice Program who brought comfort and peace, not only to Jim, but the family as well. In lieu of flowers, Jim would want you to make a donation to either the Chesapeake Animal Services or Portsmouth Humane Society, in the names of his constant canine companions, Spunky, Sammy, and Bodie, or the American Cancer Society or American Red Cross.