Doris Marie Gabel

Doris Marie Gabel, 90, of Panhandle passed away on December 30, 2023. Rosary and vigil will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday January 2,2024 at St Francis Church, 5005 Klinke Road, Amarillo, TX. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, January 3,2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church, with Father Richard Zanetti presiding. Burial will follow at Panhandle Cemetery.

 Doris was born on October 13,1933 in Amarillo, TX to Frank and Madelyn Metcalf. She grew up on a farm southwest of Panhandle and graduated from Panhandle High School in 1952.

 On September 15, 1956, Doris married James H. “Jim” Gabel at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Amarillo, TX. Doris started her true vocation as a farmer’s wife and raising her children, Dale, Lynette, Brice, and Leland. Doris served as an adult 4-H leader and as a member of the Liberty and Antigone women’s organizations of Panhandle.

 After Jim passed away in 1995, Doris ably stepped into his shoes to help manage the farm. She continued to live on the farm and do the daily tasks of providing meals for the crew, chasing parts, and chauffeuring the farm help around in a moment’s notice. This continued until the Spring of 2018 when she fell and fractured her hip (Doing chores—throwing the trash in the dumpster!).

 After recovering from the fall, Doris decided to enter Brookdale Senior Living Center in Amarillo. There she renewed old acquaintances and readily made new ones. She proudly served as an ambassador for the residents of Brookdale.

 Doris loved family gatherings and meals with family and friends. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino with family and friends, although she was more of an observer and cheerleader than she was a participant. They certainly didn’t keep the lights on with what she spent!

 Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, her brother, Floyd, her sister, Frances Sinclair, and her children, daughter, Lynette Wright, and son, Brice Gabel.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Dale and wife Cindy and Leland and wife, Lana of Panhandle. Those who call her “Gran” are: Tim Gabel (Kristin) of Panhandle, Natalie Hall (Wes), Kyle Gabel (Kaylea), and Brandi Moberley (Pete), all of Amarillo, Bryan Leven (Karina) of Winona, TX, Mackenzie Coleman (Corey) of Overland Park, KS, Clint Gabel of Marburg, Germany, and Cliff Gabel of Panhandle. She is also survived by 20 great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

 In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Francis Church, 5005 Klinke Road, Amarillo, Texas 79108, or Autism Society, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305, Rockville, Maryland 20852, or a favorite charity