Birth date: Jan 5, 1915 Death date: Dec 19, 2004
Melvin F. ?Mel? Gabler Funeral services for Melvin F. ?Mel? Gabler, 89, of Longview, will be 2 PM Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at Mobberly Baptist Church, 625 East Loop 281with Dr. Gregg Zackary officiating. Burial will follow in Read Obituary
My dear, dear friend and co-worker with Christ,
My mother Inez Payne sent me Mel's obit from the Houston Chronicle and my first thought was of you and your deep love for Mel. You have been my inspiration and mentor in education and life. I love you as if you were my own mother and miss fellowshipping with you at SBOE. All I could think when I heard Mel is gone is that Heaven is richer but what a rich legacy he left us!
Jan Pierce##imported-begin##Jan Payne Pierce##imported-end##
I am moved to write this note to all that view this memorial to a great man. I was privileged to interview Mr. Gabler 2 years ago for our program on Christian Evidences. During the interview we covered his and Norma?s work through the years ??.struggling alone for the most part. He had help from a few and one worth mentioning is Richard Gibson who is the owner of Drug Emporiums around the country. Mel was so complementary to Richard?s many contributions through the years. Mel?s work has so changed the course and history of our nation by the content of our children?s textbooks. The impact will never be completely known for generations. During the interview I asked him, ?Where were the ministers, preachers, and community leaders through your many struggles?? and ?Who spoke out in support when the liberal newspapers and press castigated you from their imperious public forum??? He hesitated for a moment reflecting in thought and wiped a tear from his eye and with his voice quavering said, ?I guess they were afraid of division in their churches and controversy!??
I have had many hours to reflect on his statement. A church divided on whether evolution is fact or fiction, and whether man evolved by natural processes over billions of years is already divided. The ministers of God who fail to see these attacks on our faith as the reason the church in general has lost it?s salt and light in a dark world are blinded by the desire for ?scientific? acceptance and increasing membership which equates to cash. Many churches have degenerated into ?hug and howdy, sing and be happy? social gatherings with little impact on today?s society.
We will miss men such as Mr. Mel Gabler who have stood in the gap and not waiver in the face of public criticism. Men who stand on their Christian principals and apply them in the public forum and make a difference are my heroes. Mel Gabler is a hero to so many and will be sorely missed.##imported-begin##Bobby Davis##imported-end##
Mrs. Gabler, I did not know your husband personally, but had heard of his dedication to Christain education through my co-worker, Bobby Davis, who thought and spoke very highly of Mr. Gabler. I am sorry for your loss and pray God will give you peace knowing Mr. Gabler stands by His side in Heaven. Love and prayers from an unknown sister in Christ. God Bless you through the holidays and throughout the coming year.##imported-begin##Pat Wood##imported-end##
Dear Mrs Gabler
I only heard of Mel's remarkable and marvelous work,from my son Bobby, but I'm so impressed by his dedication to helping our young to know the truth and defending them from the text book errors of evolution.We all will miss a great soldier,may God bless and comfort
you.
Bake Davis##imported-begin##Bake Davis##imported-end##
Norma,
I will miss Mel so much. I have known you two most of my life! What a pleasure it was to have known him. I know he is singing with the angels and sitting at the table with our Lord. I will look forward to seeing him again. I pray God gives you strength and lots of loving people around at this time.
I will remember Mel with a great smile when I go to Snoqualmie Falls and to Leavenworth. We have had such fun with your visits.
Thank you for coming in to our lives and know that Mel made a difference in ours. Thanks for being such a great friend to mom as well.
Please call if you need anything at all. I would be happy to help.
425-867-1459##imported-begin##Krissy and Spencer Corpuz##imported-end##
Mrs. Gabler,
I am on of the guys associated with the Christian evidences program on channel 10 on Longview Cable TX. We interviewed you and your husband 2 years ago and it is one of the proudest days of my life. My condolences go out to you and your family but I know God will be waiting at the gates of heaven with open arms and say "Well Done my good and faithful servant!"
Much Love!
His!
Bobby Davis <<><
Please call if you ever need anything! 972-820-0052 or [email protected]##imported-begin##Bobby Davis##imported-end##
Norma, I very sorry about Mel. He is with God now. I am sure that He has very important work for Mel to do. God bless you Norma.##imported-begin##Charles & Polly Maxwell##imported-end##
NORMA,
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. WHILE MY HEART IS SO VERY HEAVY WITH SORROW I KNOW MEL IS REJOICING WITH JESUS AND DON. IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, PLEASE CALL ME AT 425-828-3683.
I KNOW GOD IS HOLDING YOU CLOSE. MY LOVE FOR BOTH OF YOU FOR OVER 27 YEARS GOES OUT TO YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU.
LOVE,
ANITA##imported-begin##ANITA MAXWELL##imported-end##
Dear Norma and Family,
I?ve just recently learned of Mel?s work in education through a cyber friend of mine Donna Garner and although I never met or corresponded with you or Mel, I sensed a remarkable individual that spent many hours trying to help the least among us and know He has a special place for Mel. People like Mel that gave so much, to help so many, were not driven by earthly goals, but were bridge builders for a better future. May the Comforter bring comfort and peace to you and your family in this time of sorrow. God Bless you and your family!
The Bridge Builder
An old man going down a lone highway
Came in the evening cold and gray
To a chasm vast and deep and wide
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
That swollen stream held no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
?Old man,? said a fellow pilgrim near,
?You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm deep and wide?
Why build this bridge at eventide?
The builder lifted his old gray head.
?Good friend in the path I have come,? he said,
There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This swollen stream which was naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.?##imported-begin##Tom Reese##imported-end##
Dear Norma,
Like Paul, Mel has fought a good fignt, finished his course, and kept the faith.
Since we first met in Wauwatosa so many years ago I have heard and read about your work and taken pleasure in hearing of your many accomplishments.
Thank you for all you an Mel have done and thank you now for preparing others to carry on. You are loved and appreciated.
Erica Carle##imported-begin##Erica Carle Janet Peter##imported-end##
