John Gambs

John (Jack) R. Gambs, age 91, of Westfield, IN and formerly of Indianapolis and Columbus, OH, died February 21, 2012 at Harbour Manor Health and Living, Noblesville, IN. Born February 2, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio he attended Holy Rosary Grade and High School.
He graduated from Ohio State University in Pre-Med with a degree in Bacteriology. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant from Ohio State University's ROTC program and then joined the Tank Destroyer Corps at Ft. Hood Texas and was a company commander at Company 648 Tank Destroyer Battalion. He served oversees in WWII in Germany and France with General Patton's 3rd Army and was the awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Major in 1946.
In 1943 he married his high school sweetheart, Joan R. Eberle. He started his sales career with Byers Automotive in Columbus, Ohio. The family moved to Indianapolis in 1956 when Jack started Gambs Truck Sales. He was also the first President of Wabash Ford Truck Sales. He then enjoyed a sales career at F.C. Tucker in commercial real estate. He was commissioned as a "Kentucky Colonel" by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
He was an avid hunter, marksman, pilot, boatman, reader, lover of nature and an enthusiastic student of life. He loved talking with young people, sharing their ideas and conversing about current events. He was a remarkable father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His positive spirit and joy of life will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.
Jack is survived by his wife, Joan, and three of their four children: John Gambs (Kathy) of Lafayette, IN, Patricia Mac Innis (Dan) of Noblesville, IN, Rosemary Lamberson (Mark) of Flagstaff, AZ, former daughter-in-law Sally Gambs of Indianapolis, & special adopted daughter Kay (Lou) Gillespie of Muncie; eight grandchildren: Gretchen Miller (Todd) of Logansport, IN, Michelle Gambs-Rohen (Sean) of Indianapolis, Jack Gambs (Sara) of Indianapolis, Carrie Heimlich (Nick) of Caledonia, OH, Heather Mac Innis (Gary) of Noblesville, IN, Sarah Mac Innis (Matt Stach) of Lebanon, IN, Bret Lamberson (Brigit) and Lisa Lamberson (Ben Shaffer) of Flagstaff, AZ. Jack is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren: Eberle and Cecelia Miller, Grace and Charles Gambs-Rohen, Elliott and Oliver Gambs, Emma and Anna Heimlich, Mary and Thomas Mac Innis, Ada, Evelyn & Harold Stach. He is survived by one brother, Richard Gambs of Columbus, OH & North Palm Beach FL, one sister-in-law, Eileen Gambs of N.Y. City, one brother-in-law, John (Virginia) Eberle of Pickerington, OH. Gambs nieces and nephews include Jerry (Flora), Jeff, Susan (Craig), Joseph (Kathleen), Jane (Stewart), Rick (Caele). Eberle nieces & nephews include Jan (Bernie), Suzanne (Tom), Sharon (Fred), Jeanie (Larry), Christine (Walter), Mary Ellen (Bob), Steve (Mercy), Tom, John (Vicki) and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Gambs cousins Ellen (John) Dye and Jane (Warren) Schieser also survive.
He was preceded in death by one son, David, parents Charles Raymond Gambs Sr. and Helen Casey Gambs, three brothers, Gerald C.Gambs, Charles R. Gambs Jr., infant brother Richard C. Gambs, sisters-in-law Helen and Louise Gambs, brother-in-law Michael (Katie) Eberle , nieces Mary Helen Hayes, infant niece Kathleen Eberle, nephew Michael Eberle and infant grand-niece Emily Newman.
A private celebration of Jack's life will be held for the family. Interment will occur at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity.