Rufus Gambrell, Jr.

Rufus Gambrell, Jr. "Dogbone", age 84 was born August 6th, 1939 in Anderson, South Carolina.  He was the son of the late Rufus Gambrell, Sr. and Evangeline Gambrell. He was their youngest and last living son.  He passed on Saturday, December 30th at AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson SC.

Rufus was educated in Anderson, SC.  He graduated from Westside High School, where he was an outstanding student, football player, and basketball player. He attended Friendship College and Morris College.  While at Morris College, he played football and basketball.  Rufus retired from the Army and National Guard as an E8 Master Sergeant.  He also retired from Owens Corning after 32 years of service.

Rufus was married to Patricia Gambrell and they have four children. He met his wife while on leave from the Army at a Westside basketball game. When he saw Patricia playing basketball, running up and down the court...he fell in love. 

Rufus enjoyed bowling, football, basketball, tennis, and watching his kids and grandkids participate in everything. He coached football, basketball, and bowling for many years as his kids and grandkids participated in those activities and others. He was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 2015.

He was a great man, that was kind and loving. He would do anything for anyone and was a role model for the kids he coached and mentored. He had many titles: husband, father, brother, son, granddad, papa, uncle, coach, friend, and so on.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Patricia Gambrell; his daughters, Tonya Gambrell (Don) and Patesha Gambrell (Melvin); sons, Lamar Gambrell (Kristen) and Rufus Gambrell III; grandchildren, Xavier, Aurie (Josh), GA, Chaydon, Ethan, Elizabeth, Evangeline, Kingston, and Grayce; great-grandchildren, Keegan, Cameron, Jalaysia, and Wesley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Angel; sisters, Dorothy Kirk, Birdie E. Tyler, Ruby M. Wiggins, and Lorene G. Lee; and brothers, Woodrow Gambrell and William "Bobby" L. Gambrell.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Iva, SC.  Public viewing 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. 

Military Honors and interment will held at M. J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

The family is at the home, 324 Hillcrest Circle, Anderson, SC 29624.

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