Curtis Gamblin

JONESBORO—Curtis Cedel Gamblin, 83, of Jonesboro passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007. He was a beloved husband and father of three children. He was lovingly known as “Pops” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Curt was born in Cisco, Texas, on July 7, 1923. He was the son of the late Vin Monroe Gamblin and Ada Ruth Gamblin. He was a decorated World War II Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1946. After the war, Curt attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas, where he played football for the college team. He and his brother, Elton, began moving houses in 1946 and established Gamblin House Moving Company, a business Curt continued for over 30 years.

In 1947, Curt married Dealva Faye Locke of Zephyr, Texas. The Gamblins lived in Victoria, Texas, from 1950-1954. In 1954, they moved to Newport, Arkansas, to continue the house moving business. While in Newport, Curt served as a Jackson County deputy sheriff. In 1959, Gamblin House Moving and the Gamblin family moved to Jonesboro where they live at present.

Curt was a member of the Nettleton Baptist Church. He was a past member of the Northeast Arkansas Bird Hunters Association and an avid hunter. He was a long-time fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He will be remembered for his good humor, fairness, and his love for his family.

Curt is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Milton Willis Gamblin and Elton Berry Gamblin; and his sisters, Bobbie Jean Tabor and Ella Mae Gamblin.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dealva Faye Gamblin of the home; his daughter Deborah G. Tuseth and her husband, Michael, of Memphis; his sons, Jay C. Gamblin and his wife, Karen, of Jonesboro, and Joe D. Gamblin, and his wife, Karen, of Jonesboro; his grandchildren Jeni, Eric, and Jeff Tuseth of Memphis; Jayme Henderson and her husband Shaun, and Mandy Gamblin, all of Jonesboro; Annie Pitcher, Caleb Pitcher, and Nikki Daniels, all of Paragould; his great-grandchildren Makala and Ashlee Henderson of Jonesboro; Anthony Pitcher, Connor and Alex Upchurch, Michael, Samantha and Gregory Daniels, and Kacie and Gracie Pitcher, all of Paragould.

Services will be held at the Emerson Memorial Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, officiated by Dr. Harold Ray and Dr. Glen Putman. Viewing will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Mike Tuseth, Eric Tuseth, Jeff Tuseth, Shaun Henderson, Caleb Pitcher, and Greg Daniels. Honorary pallbearer is Phil Priest.

Those wishing to leave lasting memorials are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 6th floor, New York, NY 10001.

To view: MEMORIAL TRIBUTE