Burl Don Gamel

Burl grew up in the Alfalfa area and graduated from Alfalfa High School in 1958. He met the love of his life, Mildred Harris, and they were married on June 20, 1959. They moved around the state while Burl worked road construction until he was drafted into the Army in 1963. He was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska until his discharge in 1965. They moved back to Oklahoma where he began working civil service at Tinker AFB until his retirement.

Burl and Mildred started their family in 1968 with the birth of their daughter, Cheryl and later in 1973, with the birth of their son, Gary. Burl enjoyed being active in his kids’ lives, especially coaching them in baseball, softball and soccer. He also enjoyed taking the family on vacations across the country over the years.

Burl loved to hunt for treasures, especially Hot Wheel cars and antique tools. He spent a lot of time exploring thrift stores and estate sales. He was excited when his three grandkids arrived and he was able to travel around the state to watch them in all their activities. He was thrilled later on to be known as great-grandpa to Emily, Mason and Sadie. He enjoyed celebrating Christmas and all their first birthdays with them.

Burl was known as a story teller and never met a stranger. He had a passion for old cars and recognized a person by their vehicle.

Burl is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Thorp and her husband, Tom of Helena, Oklahoma; one son, Gary Gamel and his wife, Lori of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Jessica Peery and her husband, Jacob of Helena, Oklahoma, Jamie Kidd and her husband, Keyten of Helena, Oklahoma, and Jake Thorp of Helena, Oklahoma; three great grandchildren, Emily Kidd, Mason Peery and Sadie Peery along with many extended family and friends.

Burl was preceded in death by his parents, C.B. and Lorene Gamel, his wife of 63 years, Mildred Gamel; three brothers, W.B. Gamel, Curt Gamel, Dean Gamel, and his sister Doris Rollens.

Visitation will be held at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115, on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

Final Resting Place will be at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 2301 E. Indian Hills Rd., Norman, OK 73071, on October 24, 2026.