Sam Gambill

Samuel Clay Gambill, 86, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

He was born on June 7, 1934 in Cromona, Kentucky to the late Millard and Dixie (Damron) Gambill. He is also preceded in death by his siblings, Margie Pearl Gambill, June Slone and Doug Gambill.

Sam was an ever-kind, ever-giving, ever-loving man in his daily life. Therefore, it is certain that his beautiful energy will emanate as he follows his loved ones in spirit and moves through his next journey. He will be with all of us in this world and the wonderful thereafter at the same time, sharing his love and sending subtle signs that he's by our sides and holding our hands…he's cool like that!

Sam adored his family and his roots, born and raised in the coal-mining town of Haymond, KY, along with his dear siblings. He was one of nine children. He experienced loss and hardship at a very early age as his father died in a coal-mining accident. Sam and his siblings remained close to his mother and continued in the next journey as they eventually moved to Louisville, KY.

Sam joined the Navy and then worked 42 years at General Electric. He was a hard-working man with strong values. He was dependable, loyal, generous, honest, humorous, respectful, compassionate, and loving. Oh, and he was without a doubt, a true blue Kentucky Wildcat fan through and through.

Sam enjoyed the simple joys in life that came with spending time with his loved ones…playing croquet and riding bikes with his 3 daughters, playing a "mean" game of canasta with the whole Gambill family, playing rounds and rounds of golf at Iroquois Park, walking at the track with his Tom More walking buddies, and cheering on his Wildcats and watching Lawrence Welk…and even trudging through the Donny and Marie Show and the Dukes of Hazard because he'd do anything for his girls, Stacy, Shannon and Beth. And his girls loved Bo and Luke Duke…but never near as much as they loved their sweet Dad…a man who embodied love and kindness at his core.

And when it came time for Sam to be a grandfather of three wonderful children; Nathan, Ella and Sam (his namesake), as well as multiple cats, several dogs and a few bunnies, he was all in! Festive kids (once again) and a splash of critter craziness became his world as he embarked on his new life as "Papaw Sam." He experienced pure happiness playing with Nathan, Ella, and Sam…experiencing Nathan's musical enthusiasm and sprightly humor, Ella's wiggly dance moves and energetic creativity, and all of Little Sam's heart that he fills with every hug and the spunk he injects into his love of sports.

Yes, it's no question, Sam's daughters, grandchildren, parents and siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and all his friends and loved ones have been ever-blessed to live a life with the man, the legend, Papaw Sam!

We Love You Forever and Ever 'Til The End Of Time!

Sam is survived by his daughters, Stacy McAdam, Beth Burns (Richard), Shannon Gambill, siblings, Ginny King, Ed Gambill, Jackie Hearn, Jerry Gambill (Barbara), three grandchildren; Nathan McAdam, Ella and Sam Burns and also one granddog and five grandcats. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

All services will be private and Sam will be entombed at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family requests contributions in Sam's memory be made to Alley Cat Advocates by visiting www.alleycatadvocates.org and click "Give".

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