Charles Robert Gimbel

Charles Robert Gimbel, age 75, went home to be with his Savior on June 9, 2023. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 1, 1947, to Robert Henry Gimbel and Annie Mae “Sue” Oswald Gimbel. By many he went by the name Charlie, and by his close Gimbel family as Ace. As a child he lived in many places, including the Panama Canal Zone, Philadelphia, PA; Patuxent River, MD; Anderson, SC; Jacksonville, FL; and Pensacola, FL. After graduating from Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL he attended the University of Florida for his first year. After receiving a scholarship with the Navy ROTC, he attended and graduated the University of South Carolina, with a B.S. degree, where he became commissioned in the United States Navy. While at Carolina he met the love of his life, Kathy, at First Baptist Church in Columbia. They were happily married for 52 years, raising their two wonderful daughters. He had several jobs throughout his life, including lawn mowing and car parking attendant. He served four years in the US Navy at Mayport, FL and Charleston Navy Base. He then attended the University of West Florida, receiving B.A. and M.B.A. degrees. While at UWF he entered the US Navy Reserves, serving until his retirement as a Commander. He then worked at Burroughs Corporation, the US Navy Audit Service and at NAS Pensacola as Deputy Inspector General of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) until his retirement in 2020. He had a combined 40+ years of service to the U.S. Navy, earning the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Charles became a Christian at the age of 13 and was baptized with his dad at the same time. In his last years he was baptized a second time as he wanted to publicly declare again his love for the Lord Jesus. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, and since 1977 at Olive Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, usher, and 30 years as director of a Median Adult Sunday School department. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his daughters, Stacy (Phil) Vidal, Laurie (John) O’Brien. Grandchildren: Luke Vidal, Cora Vidal, Abigail Vidal and Sawyer O’Brien. He is also survived by his brother Fred (CJ) Gimbel, his sister Gayle (Trey) Gilstrap, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dad, mom, and step-father Grover Bailey, Sr., and parents-in-law D.T. and Katie Fenters. He wanted to be remembered as loving his family, his country and most importantly his God. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Ted Traylor officiating. Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Pallbearers will be Roy Brown, Steve Godwin, Mickey Hornsby, Tommy Johns, Thomas Noel and Jim Trent. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church.

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Charles Robert Gimbel

July 1, 1947 - June 9, 2023