Christian J. Gambel

Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Lafayette at a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008 for Christian 'Chris' J. Gambel, 54, who passed away Friday, February 22, 2008 Reverend Hampton Davis, Pastor of Our Lady of Queen of Peace Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Interment services will be at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. Mr. Gambel, a native of New Orleans, was the son of Jane Waggaman Gambel and the late Adam Christian Gambel. Chris was a 1972 graduate of De La Salle High School in New Orleans. He was a 1976 graduate of UL Lafayette. While at UL he was a member of Eta Nu Chapter of Sigma Nu. He was president of College of Commerce, member of the UL Blue Key Honor Society, Who's Who Among Students in American College and Universities. He is best remembered though for his Party PICS, the business which he started at UL. Everyone loved Party PICS, Chris loved taking candid shots at all the sorority and fraternity gatherings. Chris was never seen at a social event without a camera in his hand. Taking pictures of families and friends is something he truly loved to do. Chris was an independent agent with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network for 35 years. He began his career as a college agent recruited by Don Barque and Donald Romero in 1975. He received top company recognitions for life, disability and long term care throughout his career. His was a qualifying life member for The Million Dollar Round Table from 1978 - 2007. Chris loved his work. He truly believed in helping people prepare for a secure future. He felt he was not in the business of selling but in developing and maintaining relationships. He was honored to be a part of the Northwestern family. Chris was active in various organizations. He was a board member for The Medical Research Foundation, Women's Foundation, Bonaparte, and National Fruit Flavor Company. He was a former member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Krewe of Gabriel and various other Mardi Gras organizations in New Orleans and Lafayette. He loved Lafayette and never left after arriving to attend UL in 1972. He called Lafayette home and felt it was a great place to raise a family. He loved the fact that he could go anywhere and always saw someone that he knew. As one friend stated, 'the greatest thing about Chris was that he would ask you how you were doing and he genuinely meant it'. One of Chris' greatest joys was spending time at the family camp in Bay St Louis. It was important to him that his children spend time with their cousins fishing, tubing, and skiing on the infamous Water Wasp. Sitting on the dock in early morning hours or just after the sun was setting was his favorite time of the day. Chris is best remembered as a devoted father, husband, brother and son. He loved being with his wife and children, family time was a top priority. He was so proud of his family and loved them dearly. He is survived by his wife Karen, two daughters, Kelly and Ryan Elizabeth; one son Christian; his brothers; Adam Frederick Gambel and his wife Laura and their children of Lafayette, CA; Eugene Waggaman Gambel and his wife Eileen and their children and Peter Sauve Gambel of New Orleans; two sisters, Mary Gambel Murray and her husband Larry and their children of Chagrin Falls, OH; Anne Marie Gambel of San Diego, CA; and many cousins, his in-laws and nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all. Visiting hours will be held at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2008 and will continue Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services in the Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Adam Gambel, Gene Gambel, Peter Gambel, Louis Simon, Marshall Montgomery, and Dick Flower. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Raymond Beyt, John Swift, Frank Bacque, Denbo Montgomery, Jerry Greig, and Smitty Landry. Memorial donations may be made in the name of Christian 'Chris' J. Gambel to the UL Alumni Foundation, 705 E St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503; the Community Foundation of Acadiana, P.O. Box 3892, Lafayette, La 70502; or Brothers of the Christian Schools, 217 E Kaliste Saloom Rd., Ste. 201, Lafayette, LA 70508. Personal condolences may be sent to the Gambel family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Christian J. Gambel

August 13, 1953 - February 22, 2008