Dennis Gabler

Denny Gabler, 67, died on Thursday, August 3, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas following a lengthy bout with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare form of dementia.He leaves his wife of 47 years, Fran (Williams) Gabler; his daughter, Reesa Qualia and her husband, Rick and grandsons Will and Jake of Lubbock, Texas; his son Randy Gabler and his wife Melissa and grandchildren Luke and Claire of Reno, NV; his mother, Dorothy; his sister, Paula Bardwell; and Murray, Lurlene, Rann, and Eddie Williams and their families, along with many close friends.He was preceded in death by his father LeRoy, and his best friend, Randy Kiesau.He was born on May 20, 1950, in Clinton, OK. Denny was a member of the Oklahoma state championship football teams at Clinton High School in 1964, 1965 and 1967. His senior year, the Red Tornadoes were recognized by one national publication as the best high school football team in the country. After graduation in 1968, Denny attended Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship.On May 24, 1970, Denny and Fran were united in marriage. Upon graduating from OSU in 1972, they made their first home in Walters, OK, where Denny worked in the banking industry. They moved to Altus in 1975, shortly after the birth of their daughter. In Altus, Denny owned and operated Tri-Co Oil & Gas until his death.Denny was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Altus. He had a specific interest in serving the youth of the community. He was involved in the local FCA chapter, the Altus All-Sports Association, and he could be found on the sidelines of countless basketball and football games.Denny was an avid sports fan, in particular the OSU Cowboys. Some of his fondest memories were of traveling to OSU basketball games with his son and their dear friend, Jimmy Snell.As Denny continued to battle his illness, he and Fran recently moved to Lubbock to be closer to their daughter and her family. In his final months, his greatest joy was found in watching his grandsons, Will and Jake, compete in their various athletic events.The family would like to especially thank the staff at both Area Hospice and the Legacy at South Plains, along with Dr. Shannon Tapia for their love and care for Denny in his final days. Additionally, the family would like to thank the employees of Frazer Bank for showing tremendous compassion to Denny in his later years.A private memorial service was held in Lubbock. His family granted his wishes by donating his brain to the Garrison Brain Bank, which serves to understand the origins of neurodegenerative diseases and eventually improve the treatment and care of patients with dementia. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that those interested make donations to GIA-Brain Bank, Attn: Ruben Gonzalez, 3601 4th Street/MS: 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430.