Artis Edward Gambrell, Sr. was the only son of Alpha Mcfadden. He was born on February 21, 1946, and was reared by his loving grandmother, Roxie Ann Gambrell.

Artis was known to be very intellectual, as he was an honor student and double promoted in elementary school. He attended Lomax Elementary, Booker T. Washington Junior High, and graduated from Middleton Senior High in 1963. He was a member of the Marching Tigers, where he skillfully played the Baritone horn in his junior and senior years. Artis earned an Associate of Arts Degree in 1965 from Gibbs Junior College located in St Petersburgh, Florida.

After graduating, he went on to attend the University of South Florida and was one of six African Americans that originally integrated the campus. In 1966, He married Delores White and from that union were born three beautiful children, Artis Jr, Kenya, and Kendra. Artis took great pleasure in working with children, contributing to their growth and development into young men.

He coached youth football for the Jackson Heights Viking of the Police Athletic League during the 1970s, a large percentage of the youth that resided in East Tampa at the time played youth football on his teams. Artis was also one of the longest-tenured coaches in the history of Belmont Heights Little League. He was the most successful coach that has ever coached in the Senior division. He coached teams from 1970 until the early 1990s.

In 1979, Artis was the manager of the Senior League All-Star team that went on to capture a National Championship and finished up 2nd In the World. That team included some of the best players to ever come through Belmont Heights, including 3 future Major League Baseball players. Artis was employed by the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department for 43 years, where he retired in 2008 as a manager.

After retiring, Artis decided to reenter the workforce and became a school bus driver for Hillsborough County Schools for approximately 10 years. Artis is also well known for his ability to prepare taxes on a high level. He created his tax service business and prepared taxes for hundreds of residents in and outside of the Tampa Bay area. This was a true love for Artis, and he was known for his services for over 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alpha Mcfadden; grandmother, Roxie Ann Gambrell; uncles, Jack and Radford Gambrell; aunts, Ruby Luck and Geraldine Nunn.

He leaves precious memories with his wife, Delores White Gambrell; children, Artis E. Gambrell, Jr. (Regina), Kenya Gambrell Battle (Romey), Kendra Gambrell, and OKeya Gambrell Toomer; grandchildren, Cedric Gambrell, Kalin, Kyla, Kaleb, and Kameron Battle, Artis E. Gambrell III, Destyni Price, Jutaurio Clemons, Rashaad Fennell (Aryesia), Erik Fennell (Dana), Duntrrius Toomer, and CaJaedon Williams; sister, Patricia Ann Mclean; cousins, Carol Denise Gambrell, Bernetta Jean Brown, and Rufus Luck (Juanita); adopted daughter, Keenia Lewis; special friend, Joe Henley; and a host of other loving relatives.

Visitation
Friday, November 25, 2022
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
Saturday, November 26, 2022
11:00 AM
College Hill Church of God in Christ
6414 North 30th Street
Tampa, Florida 33610