He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on August 29, 1942. He died on Wednesday, October 1, 1997. He graduated from Paschall High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and later from Dartmouth College. He served as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy during the Viet Nam war. After his military services, he graduated from UT Southwestern Medical School and finished his internship and residency at the University of California at San Diego. He was an esteemed anesthesiologist and practiced for the last 5 years at Edinburg Regional Medical Center where he served as director of the anesthesia department. He is loved and will be greatly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Dr. Gamel and his sister, Cynthia Gamel.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha Lynne Gamel of Edinburg, three boys, Christopher Michael Gamel, William Thomas Cleghorn, and Richard Cleghorn and a daughter, Jessica Gamel, all of Edinburg.
Pallbearers will be Richard Cleghorn, Tom Cleghorn, Chris Gamel, Dr. Fred Perez, Dr. Chris Garcia, and Dr. Ken Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Belila, Leon Belila and Michael Atkinson.
He will lie in state at the funeral home on Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 1997, by Rev. Jerry Frank at Kreidier Funeral Home in McAllen. Burial will follow the funeral service at Mont Meta Cemetery in San Benito, Texas.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the Valley Land Fund, P.O. Box 2891, McAllen, Texas, 78502-2891.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen.