Nancy Jo Gamble

MAY 27, 1955 – MARCH 22, 2016

NANCY JO GAMBLE, 60, passed on March 22, 2016, in San Antonio, TX, after battling colon cancer for over two years. Born May 27, 1955, in Corpus Christi, TX, to parents Marcus H. “Buddy” Gamble and Nathalea Marilyn Ferguson Gamble, she attended Kostoryz Elementary and Tom Browne Junior High Schools, and was a 1973 Mary Carroll High School graduate. Refining her skills further with attendance at Durham Business College in Corpus Christi, she worked over 30 years in positions of office management, supervision, customer service, and accounting in various types of industries (construction equipment, graphic arts, food brokerage, word processing and print shop, commercial real estate development, and state government). After spending her childhood and adolescent years in Corpus Christi, subsequent residences included Austin, San Marcos, and New Braunfels, TX, in addition to her many years as a San Antonio resident.

Outside of her work environment, Nancy dedicated her life to the happiness and success of her children. Nancy and former husband Mark Stephen James were parents to daughter Allison and twins Bethany and Tyler. The needs of her children always came first, often neglecting herself in the process of providing for them. Among her many hobbies and pastimes, she enjoyed painting, arts and crafts, movies, reading, shopping for antiques and primitives, bluebonnet sightings in our lush hill country, and ‘Pandora’ jewelry. She was a dedicated “twins’ mom,” having served two consecutive terms as President of the San Antonio Area Mothers of Multiples organization. Years later, several ‘moms’ remained some of her closest friends and confidantes. All three children attended North East ISD schools, each graduating from James Madison High School, where Nancy was actively involved in the parent spirit booster organizations for JV and Varsity football, the ‘Fillies’ pep squad and the ‘Dollies’ dance team, and freshman and varsity volleyball squads. She never missed a football game, dance team performance, or volleyball game, always there cheering on her children. Nancy was a favorite club volleyball ‘team mom,’ accompanying daughter Bethany and her teammates to their in-state and out-of-state tournaments. All three children attained BA/BS degrees, and Nancy proudly attended their Baccalaureate ceremonies to see them walk across the stage, even though one ceremony occurred after her cancer diagnosis. Memorable Halloweens and Christmas memories and traditions with family were among her favorite times of the year. Finally, one cannot have known Nancy without an appreciation for her love of dogs. Beginning with “Bonnie I” and “Bonnie II” in childhood and continuing with “Meeky,” “Toby,” “Andy,” “Muffin,” “Honey,” and her current ‘babies’ “Sugar,” “Pepper,” and “Scout,” in addition to her daughters’ dogs “Teddy,” “Gypsy,” and “Copper,” Nancy’s devotion to her family’s dogs was paramount.

Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Nathalea Ferguson Gamble; cousins Richard Stephen Ferguson and Jack Nathan Ferguson; and step-mother B. K. Gamble. She is survived by her beloved children Allison Lynne James and twins Bethany Ann and Marcus Tyler James; father M. H. “Buddy” Gamble; sister Judy Carol Gamble; cousins Debbie Ferguson Baud and Becky Ferguson Bison; cousins William Wayne “Winkie,” Sue Ann, and Jo Lynn Pape; her dogs “Sugar,” “Pepper,” and “Scout”; other extended family members and many friends.

The family wishes to extend acknowledgement and special gratitude to Dr. Jayasree Rao and all of her staff at Oncology SA, for their loving care and treatment extended to Nancy throughout her cancer journey. Thanks also to the staff at Gentiva Hospice for their compassion and support in Nancy’s final days.

A memorial service in her honor will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016, 2:00 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. Paul Marks, Chaplain, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society, the Colon Cancer Alliance, or a charity of your choice.