Russell Ray Gamblin burst open the doors of Heaven Monday morning, May 30, 2022, with a smile and a shout announcing his arrival. He’d been quiet for a week, and we’re confident our Savior considered his outburst music to His ears as He embraced him welcoming him home.

Russ cried out for the first time a day after Christmas, December 26, 1945, in St. Louis, MO. A blessing to his parents Robert & Lemma Gamblin, who raised him in the city. There he met Sharon Tracy, who he married April 7, 1964, his faithful partner for the next 58 years, while they were working at Barnes hospital.

Lots of living was done in the next 10 years in the city and the home of their youth in Elkhart, Ind., before they moved to the place Russ always called home, Rector, Ark. We teased him for being born a Yankee, but he renounced his birthplace and swore he was a southerner through and through to the very last breath he took.

He wore many hats over the years and was humble, but proud, of overcoming many struggles while supporting his family and eventually owning a very successful Tool and Die business, NATCO, from which he semi-retired in 2011.

Russell and Sharon were faithful supporters of the community they grew to love. No one would have guessed Russ was an adopted resident by the way they selflessly gave their time and efforts to the place they call home.

Russ was a founding member of the Rector Men’s Organization, and he spent many nights coaching softball, refereeing, and was a 21-year member of the Chain Gang for the Rector Football teams which he loved so much. He served on the Rector Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years, on the Rector City Council, Parks Committee, Lions Club, and was a member of the Dannelly Lodge #300 since 1981. The Labor Day Picnic was a favorite event, and he served faithfully in many ways through the years. He oversaw a picnic stand for over 20 years, donated labor from his business on projects in the park, including installing benches that still remain today. Russ and Sharon labored countless hours the years Russ served as Labor Day Picnic Chairman, a true labor of love for the town they cared for so deeply. The love for Rector was only surpassed by the love Russ had for his children and grandchildren. He was proud of each one and loved attending sporting and other events in which they participated.

Russ was the last of his generation, proceeded in death by his parents, Robert and Lemma Gamblin, siblings – Charles Gamblin, Loretta Nash, Robert Gamblin Jr., Ronald Gamblin, and Gary Gamblin.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon and children – Barbi (Scott) Anderson of Pollard, Ark., April (Michael) Lindsey of Rector, Ark., and Russell (Amy) Gamblin II of Richmond Hill, Ga. Also, his beloved grandsons – BK (Christine) Farley, Brantley Terry, Russell (Trey) Gamblin III, Parker Gamblin, Colton Lindsey, and Cash Lindsey, along with two great-granddaughters – Nyla and Marilynn.

A great void is left in our lives and community, but our hearts are filled with gratefulness for the gift of his love and the legacy he leaves. We’re, of course, sad to say goodbye, but joyous to be assured of his eternal home and the opportunity we have to be reunited again because of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. Today, we celebrate that assurance and the life of our beloved Russell Ray Gamblin.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Rector with the funeral service beginning at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Greenway.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a memorial donation to the Russ and Sharon Gamblin Memorial Scholarship Fund set up at Piggott State Bank or mail to PO Box 241, Rector, AR 72461.