Herbert Malcolm Gamble
April 19, 1921 ~ October 19, 2019
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailHerbert Malcolm Gamble, former staff photographer for the Asheville Citizen-Times, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019, at the age of 98.
Born in Asheville to the late Thomas Austin Gamble and Thelma Michael Gamble, he was a 1937 graduate of Grace High School and classmate of Wilma Dykeman. He began working for the Citizen-Times as a copy boy, and soon was training to be a reporter, writing obits and church news, and serving as newspaper librarian. He purchased his first camera from earnings from delivering newspapers and soon shared a photography studio in the Bledsoe Building with Johnny Jones, Roger Deloach and Charles Mills.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he volunteered for the US Army Air Corps where he eventually taught aerial gunnery. He flew a considerable number of hours in B24’s as flight engineer and instructor. Following the war he returned to Asheville and to a job as reporter-photographer at the Asheville Times. In 1949, his photograph of a train wreck near Newton-Conover was chosen as picture of the year by the Associated Press and his 1950 picture of a street sweeper on wet Patton Avenue downtown Asheville became the North Carolina picture of the year. In 1954, he was selected as Photographer of the Year by the University of North Carolina and later collected numerous other awards.
He became a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in 1937 and served in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, member of the Official Board, chairman of the Pastor-Parish committee, and chairman of the Council of Ministries. He was also active with Troop Three Boy Scouts of the church and chairman of the Rhododendron Scout Committee.
It was at Trinity Church where he met Rosemary Putnam, whom he married before leaving the military in 1945. In 1986, he retired from the newspaper to care for her during her illness until her death in 1988. He and Rosemary had three children, H.M. “Mickey” Gamble, Jr., Robert Thomas Gamble and Sue Ellen Gamble Cannon.
In 1989, he married Sybil Silverthorn Duckett Gamble, and together they enjoyed traveling the world. Sybil survives him, as do his children, Mickey, Bob and Sue Ellen.
Service arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Mickey, I did enjoy being around your dad. He was sure a “class act!” Photos he took of our band still hang in my office. Prayers and blessings to you and your family during this time. Matt and Karen Pruett
Mickey, I went to school with you and worked with your dad many years, best wishes to you and your family at this time
I have enjoyed your writings and pictures since I was very young.
Blessings and condolences to your family and to your Blessed wife, “Miss Syble”.
It has been a pleasure to have known Malcolm. He and ” Miss Syble” were a great pair. I never met his first wife and children but my condolences to them all. He was a fine person and wrote a whole lot of really good “stuff”, and took a lot of really good photos. He will be missed.
Malcom was a Dear friend. He was A witty And A Christian man In addition to being a great photographer. Every time Karen and I would visit Asheville we always visited Miss Sybil and Malcolm. He was mild mannered but had so many stories to tell. Karen and Miss Sybil hit it off real well, Malcolm and I would sit on the couch and I would listen to his stories, I liked the photograph he won as best picture of the old man sweeping a wet Patton Avenue Downtown. But there was one of an old man of color and Malcolm caught every Wrinkle of his face, it was my favorite and I tried to buy it but he wouldn’t let it go. With that said I want to offer my condolences to Miss Sybil and his three Children. It was my pleasure to have known him RIP MY FRIEND
Sybil…I am so sorry to hear about Malcolm. It was my pleasure to know him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Malcolm and I worked together for many years He was like a Father to me and I will always miss Him.
Dear Family of Malcom and Ms Sybil,
May God give you His peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of Malcom. We enjoyed knowing him as we visited Ms Sybil and him when we were in Asheville at least twice a year. Ms Sybil would cook 4- course meals for us and after the meal, she and Malcom would dance for us. Yes, Malcom could tell many wonderful stories of his life adventures! He had a great sense of humor; albeit sometimes naughty!
Ms Sybil was Jeanette’s 8th grade math and English teacher as well as classes in High School. Ed worked on Ms Sybil’s computer when we were at their home. We last saw Malcom and Ms Sybil on September 17, 2019. We appreciate being able to see them as it turned out to be one last time for us and Malcom.
Much love in Christ,
Ed and Jeanette Wright Parham Fairfax, VA jparham713@aol.com 571-383-1775
I had the opportunity to learn photography from Malcom, June Glenn, Bert Shipman and Ewart Ball III as a “stringer” for the Citizen Times. The knowledge they shared freely gave me a strong foundation for my career. Thank you, Malcom.