James Thomas Gable

James Thomas Gable was born on June 19, 1929, on a farm three miles north of Cambridge Minnesota. The Gable farm was "up home" where his parents raised three boys. Just a short walk down the county road was "down home" where his grandparents lived. A one room schoolhouse stood next to the property. The Gable boys were students there, as well as his dad and aunt before. James was known as "Jimmy" growing up on the farm. Stories were told about swimming and fishing in the nearby creek with friends and family. In winter, fun was had sliding and skating on the hill and pond next to the schoolhouse. There were plenty of chores as well. He recalled pulling weeds in the garden for his mother, and in return, she would give them enough coins so they could walk to town and see a Laurel and Hardy Saturday matinee. Jim attended Cambridge High school and enjoyed attending football and basketball games. He often talked about the school chants the students would use to tease the rival teams, particularly Anoka. Jim joined the US Air force and served his time in the states during the Korean War. He married his sweetheart Laura June in 1954, and the adventure began. He attended the University of Minnesota to pursue a bachelor's degree in business, began his career with Honeywell and started raising a family all at the same time! There were long days of studying, working, and spending time with his growing family. Along the way four children were born while living in Minneapolis, Plymouth, Blaine, and Mounds View. He often commented on having a new home each time a child was born. In 1963 James, along with his father and brother Leroy, built a wilderness cabin accessible only by water in what is now Voyageurs National Park. This is where he built incredible memories with his family. He bought some Ski Doo's in the late sixties and made memories including trips to the cabin in winter, spearfishing, being stuck in slush and even took a trip out west to Yellowstone in winter. Family was important, so there were many visits back to the old family farm where his brother LeRoy carried on the farming tradition "down home". Jim and June enjoyed raising their family in Mounds View. They were members at Spring Lake Park Lutheran Church making sure their family was brought up in the faith. Jim was active in the Lions Club as well. He retired from Honeywell in 1988. In retirement he enjoyed working part time selling RV trailers at Hilltop Trailer Sales. It wasn't long before he purchased a travel trailer and enjoyed traveling across the United States visiting family and friends. Some of their other trips included Hawaii, Tahiti, Belize & Germany, as well as many trips to Alaska. They sold their home in Mounds View and moved to a home on Two Inlets Lake north of Park Rapids. They loved entertaining family and friends there. James often cooked a turkey on the Weber grill explaining it had to be just the right amount of charcoal. They moved from the Park Rapids area to St Cloud where they rented a patio home. They loved their time in St Cloud but after ten years they moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to their children. The last years of their lives were spent at The Legends of Champlin. It was a wonderful apartment where they would have their coffee by the picture window, watching the world go by from the third floor. James is survived by his children Richard (Jo), David (Theresa), Bradley (Kate) and Lisa (Steve) Schwinghammer, 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years June, father Marion and mother Helen, brothers LeRoy and Walden as well as a baby born in 1924. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday, June 11th at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8211 Red Oak Dr, Mounds View, Minnesota. Visitation 1 hour prior to service at the church. Interment Sunset Cemetery.

Tributes

James Thomas Gable

June 19, 1929 - May 20, 2025

Tributes

James Thomas Gable

June 19, 1929 - May 20, 2025

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