Claude Gambrell

Claude Bruce “Red” Gambrell, Master Chief Petty Officer United States Navy (Retired), age 81, of Olney, Ret. Master Chief Radioman, passed away at Brinton Woods Health Care Center in Sykesville, MD, on Saturday May 5, 2012. He was born March 17, 1931 in Abbeville, South Carolina the son of the late Claude Edward Gambrell and the late Mary Bruce Gambrell. He was a native of Abbeville, South Carolina and retired from the U.S. Navy in 1968 and from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in 1992. He spent all of his professional life as a Naval Communicator and was a specialist in global and strategic communications systems. He participated in nuclear tests series Operations CASTLE, WIGWAM AND REDWING at Bikini Atolls in the Pacific Ocean in 1954, 1955, and 1956. Husband of the late Dona Jean Gambrell, devoted father of David M. Gambrell and daughter in law Madonna Gambrell; and Bruce Gambrell, also survived by two grandchildren Virginia Lynn and David Glenn Gambrell all of Crownsville, MD; and a sister Joan Hartley and husband Richard of Crossville, TN, and a life-long friend Phyllis Schultz of Westminster. Friends may call the Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, 1212 W. Old Liberty Road, Winfield (Beside South Carroll High School) on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 12:30-2:00 PM at which time funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM, Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date; Memorial Contributions can be made to favorite charity of choice.
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