Obituary of Orland Gabriel

Orland Wilson Gabriel Jr. Mr. Gabriel 87, of Charlotte, NC, entered into the presence of the Lord on October 3, 2011 at his home with his family at his side. He was born February 9, 1924 in Sherrill?s Ford, NC, son of the late Orland Wilson Gabriel and Margaret Annie Lou Saunders Gabriel. Mr. Gabriel graduated from Sherrill?s Ford High School, attended Appalachian State University and graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Science. A member of the ?greatest generation?, he served in World War II with the 100th Infantry Division. He spent over six months in front line combat in France and Germany in 1944-45 as a platoon sergeant, and received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his service. He remained in close contact with his fellow veterans, his lifelong friends, and attended annual reunions until recent years. Following his military service, Mr. Gabriel spent 32 years teaching agriculture and construction in Mecklenburg County. He also owned his own construction company for ten years in the early 70?s. Mr. Gabriel was a former president of the local NC Association of Educators and a member of the The North Carolina Vocational Agricultural Teachers' Association. His pastimes included hunting, woodworking and gardening. Within his family and circle of friends, he was well known to be generous almost to a fault, sacrificially giving of his time and talents even until the last months of his life. He created beautiful pieces of furniture which are used by the family and passed these skills on to his children and grandchildren. There were also many beneficiaries of the fruits of his labors from the vegetable garden over many active years. His was truly a life well-lived and he will be sorely missed. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gabriel was preceded in death by his wife Jane Wallace Severs Gabriel as well as sisters, Marion Cherry and Marcia Saunders. Survivors include two children - a daughter Jane Marie ?Mimi? Compton and her husband, Ken; a son, O.W. ?Tripp? Gabriel III and his wife, Kay; six grandchildren, Christian, Jackson, Alexander and Jane Wallace Compton and Katie and Wilson Gabriel; two sisters-in-law, Matilda Severs and Margaret Hunter. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, October 9, 2011 in the Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service Chapel, 1111 East Blvd. Charlotte, with the Reverend James C. Howard III officiating. Interment will follow with military honors in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, October 8, 2011 from 5:00 until 6:30 at the funeral home. Memorial may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to the donor?s choice.