Richard Gambill

Richard Gambill, 81, lifetime resident of Jonesboro died Sunday, August 5, 2018 at the NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro.  He was a member of the Southwest Church.  He served his country in the US Army Reserve.  Richard was the owner operator of Gambill Exxon Station at Jefferson and Gee Street. He was preceded in death by Yvonne Jones Gambill, the mother of his children; his parents; four brothers; and three sisters.

Richard was a very active Freemason.  He was a long-time member of Jonesboro Lodge #129 for many years and served as Worshipful Master and later as Secretary for many years.  He served the Grand Lodge of Arkansas of various committees until his election in 2005 as Grand Lecturer, a position he would hold until his retirement in 2012.  For his outstanding service and leadership in the Grand Lodge, Right Worshipful Gambill was presented the Gold Honor Award by the Arkansas York Rite College.  He was currently serving the Grand Lodge as Grand Lecturer Emeritus in recognition of his distinguished service to Freemasonry in Arkansas.

Richard was also active in many other Masonic bodies including the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  He served for many years as the General Secretary of the Valley of Jonesboro Scottish Rite.  For his outstanding serviced to Masonry and his community, he was coroneted a 33 ^rd degree Mason, one of Freemasonry’s highest honors.  In the York Rite, Richard was a long-time member of Jonesboro Chapter #79 Royal Arch Masons, Gideon Council #65 Royal & Select Masters, Ivanhoe Commandery #18 Knights Templar and Arkansas Council of Knight Masons, all in Jonesboro.  For his many years of dedicated service he was elected to St. Giles Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, York Rites’ honor body.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Jo Gambill, of the home; sons, Dr. Greg Gambill (Michelle) of Mulberry, Arkansas; Darren Gambill (Roberta) of Roswell, New Mexico; sister, Lundie Bridger of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Brett, Jessica, Madison, Paul, Josh; one great grandchild, Jericho; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Gary Cremeens officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Randy Emerson, Charlie Emerson, Glen Bridger, Dr. Bart Jones, Perry Jones and Barry Jones serving as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are members of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #129 and all other masons.  Visitation will be from 5-7 Wednesday night at the Emerson Memorial Chapel.

For lasting memorials, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or a charity of your choice.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.