1896-1962
Businessman/Boys State Founder
Born in Lincoln, Illinois, and educated in public
schools in that community and later, following his family's move
to Colorado, in the public schools in south Denver, Colorado and
Colorado College at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Gambrel compiled
a fine scholastic record while at the same time earning letters
on the track and football teams of the several schools. Graduated,
he entered the advertising field working for the Rocky Mountain
News and simultaneously serving as Advertising Manager for the
Chamber of Commerce in his home community.
With the outbreak of World War I he entered the
service as a private in an infantry company and subsequently rose
to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He saw action in Europe with the 104th
Infantry and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, one of the first
AEF members to receive this high honor. He was also cited for
bravery in orders of the 26th Division.
Following the way he returned to Denver and 1932
moved to Kansas City where he formed an insurance partnership
which eventually became one of the big insurance businesses in
Kansas City. At the time of his death he was a partner in the
firm of Mann, Kerdolff, Kline and Welsh, a firm handling insurance
coverage for industrial plants, steamship lines, air lines, etc.
throughout the United States.
In 1935, Gambrel now a very active leader in The
American Legion, along with leaders from other states, traveled
to Springfield, Illinois, to study the newly formed Illinois Boys
State. Three years later he, along with three other dedicated
Missouri American Legion leaders, founded Missouri Boys State
and he served as the first Director thereof. Until his death in
1962 he maintained an active interest in the organization and
served on the Boys State Executive Committee from the day of its
inception.
