Anthony Albert Gamble

Tony passed away at a memory care residence in The Woodlands, Texas. Anthony Gamble was born February 25, 1945, in Riverton, Wyoming to the late Wesley and Eleanor (Hines) Gamble. He was raised in Riverton with his two brothers Jerry and Mickey.

Tony’s love of sports began at an early age. He played baseball every summer and had trained his dog, Shags, to carry his mitt home after practice. In fourth grade, Tony was enrolled in St. Stephen’s Mission School where his mother had a position as a teacher’s aide.

Tony had a successful high school athletic career in football, basketball and track. In their division, the St. Stephens Eagles were State Champions in basketball in 1961 and Football in 1962. On June 24, 2006, the basketball players from the classes of 1959, 1960, and 1961 were inducted into the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame; they had a set a record of 46 straight wins! The Eagles were a run- and-gun team that challenged their opponents to try to keep up. The summer following his graduation, Tony coached a Little League Baseball team and for decades always looked forward to watching the Little League World Series games on TV in August. He prided himself in being quite accurate at predicting the teams that would earn their way into the championship bracket.

In 1968, Tony graduated from Chadron State College, Chadron, NE with a BS in Education. He majored in Science and PE which included a coaching endorsement. It was there that he met his wife, Patricia (Cashon) who was also pursuing a career in education. Both had accepted teaching positions in Guernsey, Wyoming. The two were married Saturday, August 10th and two days later, Tony started football practice.

During the summers, Tony managed the local swimming pool or led a team of high school students (Youth Conservation Corp) in re-creating the trails, picnic areas and scenic spots at Guernsey Lake.

These areas had previously been made by the Civilian Conservation Corp, CCC, in 1933. “Coach” also enjoyed taking long runs from Guernsey to Hartville and Sunrise, around the Platte River, and, during the winter months, ran laps around the gym. Sometimes Tony would run to Ft. Laramie then have Pat meet him at a local gas station and the family would continue their drive to Torrington to do a little shopping.

Throughout his years in Wyoming, Tony taught and coached in Guernsey, Newcastle, and Wright. Several of his teams won conference titles in football or were state champions in track, often with the title hinging on the outcome of the mile relay. He was honored to be recognized as Coach of the Year in Football and Track and was invited to be on the Shrine football coaching staff twice. His rapport with young people could not be matched. He taught “his kids” to be humble winners and graceful losers. As Coach Gamble would say, “Be somebody!”

In 1989, Tony accepted a coaching position with Ralston Public Schools in Omaha, NE, but, after two years, found that it was not a good fit for him. He decided to use his math and science background to pursue a second career with Raven Biological Labs where he thrived both as a chemist & a knowledgeable colleague.

After their graduations from Chadron State College, sons Wes and Cody took teaching and coaching positions in Sidney, NE. Tony eagerly joined them for their pre-season football camps, practices and, throughout the season, made the drive from Omaha to watch their games. Following in their father’s footsteps, Cody is currently the athletic director, teacher and coach in Leyton, NE and Wes is a principal and coach in Douglas, WY.

Tony remained with Raven for 13 years before retiring then spent his free time volunteering at the Stephens Center in Omaha and playing cribbage with friends at the Sundowner. One of his favorite pastimes throughout his life was watching football on TV every Saturday, Sunday AND Monday and Thursday. If his beloved Irish of Notre Dame were playing, all the better. With his passing it brings a whole new meaning to “Touchdown Jesus.”

Later in life, it was the grandchildren who brought Tony the most joy. In 2012, Tony and Pat returned to Wyoming where life became a full circle as “Coach” watched his grandsons and granddaughters participate and compete in the sports he so loved.

In 2016, Pat and Tony moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be with their daughter and her family and enjoyed trading in a snow shovel for a pool skimmer. The mild winters were much more friendly on his three hip replacements and achy joints. Here he enjoyed cheering on his Texas grandchildren in their various activities.

Anthony was preceded in death by his parents Wesley Walter Gamble and Eleanor Virginia (Hines), and brothers Jerry and James (Mickey).

Tony is survived by his wife, Patricia (Cashon) of Conroe, Texas, son Stoney of San Jose, California and son-in-law Tony Nodine of Kona, Hawaii; son Wesley and Wendy (Lewis) and their children Tanner and Brooke (Young), Kelsi and Payten Gilmore and their son, Grady, and Cooper all of Douglas, Wyoming; son Cody and Julie (Guzzy) and their children Scout and Shawnee of Sidney, Nebraska; and daughter Tanya and Mark Stone, Tanya’s daughter Peyton Bryan and son Gamble Ogden all of Conroe, Texas, as well as several nieces and nephews along with their families.

Coach will be forever remembered by his family and many friends who will keep his memory alive through the stories they tell.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Guernsey, Wyoming on August 10, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. with a meal to follow. Attendees are invited to wear their favorite sports attire.

Tony will be inurned in the Gamble family plot in Riverton, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Frederick Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 57, Guernsey, WY 82214. Scholarships are awarded to graduates of Guernsey-Sunrise High School who are pursuing an education in a post-secondary field.