Ernest Lavelle Gabriel

Ernest Lavelle “Gabe” Gabriel, 94, was born February 20, 1921, in Ben Wheeler, Texas, and passed away in the early morning of October 18, 2015, in Houston, Texas. He was one of two children born to Ernest Crocket Gabriel and Floy Truman Matthews Gabriel. His sister, Glyneth Duene Hunter, was three years younger. Gabe had a way with people and left his friendship and kindness with everyone he met. He was often called a “sweetheart” by those who cared for him.

He was a member of the 112th Cavalry of the U.S. Army, the last horse soldier unit of World War II which was stationed at Ft. Clark, Texas. He enlisted into the Army in November of 1940. After the attack on Pearl Harbor the 112th left Ft. Clark to arrive in Camp Stoneman in San Francisco, California. He and the 112th were deployed to New Caledonia in the South Pacific in August of 1942. The horse soldiers were unable to use their horses in the jungles and islands of the South Pacific. His unit carried the Texas flag into combat in Arawa New Britain, Aitipe, and the Driniumor River in New Guinea, Woodlark and Goodnough Islands. In June of 1945 he was discharged from the 112th at Fort Sam Houston.

Gabe married Nelda Maurine Harris, his wife of 67 years, on December 13, 1941 at Ft. Clark. They moved to Dallas where he worked as a Supervisor on the trim line of the Ford Motor Assembly Plant. They were blessed with one son, Larry Chris Gabriel. Gabe took an early retirement from Ford Motor Company when the Dallas assembly plant was closed. He began a new career with the Dallas County Community College System at the Eastfield Campus in Dallas. He retired from the world of work in 1983. Gabe was active in Masonry with the Roy Stanley Lodge in Dallas. He was appointed to the Dallas Chapter Order of DeMolay Advisory Board and was awarded the high recognition of the Cross of Honor and Honorary Legion of Honor. He was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Gabe and Nelda relocated to Houston in April of 2004 to be closer to family.

Gabe is survived by his son, Larry C. Gabriel and daughter-in-law Cathy Hill Gabriel; Granddaughter, Christina M. Gabriel Hattenbach and husband Sean; and two great grandsons, Robert Ahren Hattenbach and Alexander Jacob Hattenbach. Gabe was preceded in death by his wife Nelda M. Gabriel and his sister Glyneth Duene Hunter.

A celebration service will be held at Noon on Monday, October 26 at the American Heritage Funeral Home on 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas 77038. His body will be carried to the cemetery by a Horse drawn caisson with military honors provided by the VFW.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Ernest (Gabe’s) honor go to the Wounded Warrior Fund, or charity of your choice.