This is a picture of my son ROBERT JAMES GAMBRELL, III. (ROBBIE OR ROBB)as his friends called him when he got older, but to me he will always be ROBBIE. ........Diana.......Robbie's Mom forever!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Loving Memory of Robert James "Robbie" Gambrell III October 7, 1969 - June 16, 1994 This is not easy for me to talk about this but I know some have walked in my shoes and others understand. My son Rob was living in Bowling Green, Ohio. He and his wife Tina had divorced. His grandmother asked him to move to Toledo with her. She thought that she could help him out and in turn he could be there for her also. She lived in the family home, and the Polish neighborhood she lived in was not as it had once been. So he agreed thinking it was alot closer to his job, etc. That evening a friend, Krista had come over and cut his hair and grandma's too. After she left, they went to bed. About 30 minutes later Krista returned because she had left her purse there. It was late so Rob thought that he should walk her to the car. They never made it to the car. A car came around the corner and four black men dressed entirely in black grabbed Krista and tried to drag her into their car. Rob managed to free her and told her to run into the house. After that they just openly shot him in the chest four times. Then they grabbed Krista's purse off the ground and sped away. Until this very day these animals walk the streets.     Rob's dad had called to tell me that Rob had been shot. I was sound alseep when the phone rang. I was in total shock. I could not even figure out what clothing to put on. I just went. Toledo is about 30 miles from where I was living, and I do not even remember driving there or even how I got there. A detective met me and took me in a room to explain things to me. I waited for my husband to arrive and I went into the chapel to pray. Well, my prayers must have been too late, because the doctor came out and told me that they could not save him, and he had died at 1:35 a.m. I asked them if I could see him... I had to see him!!!! I looked at him, and it seemed as if he was just asleep. I kissed him right between the eyes just as I did the day he was born. It seemed like a dream, but as I left, the toe tag made it all too real. Part of me died also that day... Dealing with Rob's death took its toll on his dad. He could not handle the tears and the pain and died four years later. He drank himself to death. I think the worst part for me was to have to tell his brother Chad who was in Virginia in the military. When I called I could barely speak. It was so sad having to tell him that his brother had been killed. He sat silent for the longest time and then a big.........NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! The tears came and his voice went silent again and stayed that way for a long long time. They were like twins. They were two years apart but they were best buddies all the way. Where one would be so would be the other. Just before they closed the casket Chad took off his favorite hat that Rob always teased him about stealing from him, and he placed it in the casket. I just passed out!!!!! I had done fairly well up to that point but it just got to me!!!! You can never understand why things happen the way they do. Rob and Tina where making plans to get back together. He really missed his 3 year old daughter, Tyger Lynn. He had just got a big promotion and a huge raise at work. Things were looking up for him and then it was .........GONE!!!!!!!! It has been 14 years, and it still feels like it happened yesterday. His case is considered a COLD CASE.........no leads.......only one fingerprint. On October 20th at 8:30 a.m., I had an appointment with the COLD CASE SQUAD. I was going to ask them to reopen my son case. There were four of them. Someone has to know something. A slip of the tongue to a friend or a family memeber, etc. You may have heard from TV or read it in the newpaper, but they recently solved a case in Toledo, Ohio after 41 years. So you see there is still hope. I just pray to God that they find them before I leave this earth, because I have something to say to each and everyone of them. If tomorrow starts without me... When tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry The way you did today, while thinking of the many things, We didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, In heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you And maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, But here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, And since each day's the same way There's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true. Though there were times You did some things You knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven And now at last you're free. So won't you come and take my hand And share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart. This above poem was written by a Christian School teacher before she died of cancer. She left this poem for her colleagues in their e-mail boxes. It was a comfort for them . . . Rob liked fishing and boating. He played sports in school. He played baseball, football, wrestled, was a golfer. He loved Ohio State football, and the Cleveland Browns. Robbie loved Bob Seger and was a Jimmy Buffet Parrothead. Robbie loved Tigers so much the he named his only child, who is a girl........TYGER LYNN. He loved playing cards with his dad, grandma and other family members. I can remember as soon as someone would walk in the house they would say get the cards!!!!! And so here I am explaining the death of my son Robbie. I sort of hesitated because September and October are always hard months for me. I did not want to stir up the unhappy memories of my past. Since Rob's death in 1994 .......I have lost my mother 9/1996.......Rob's Dad.....11/1998.....by the way, even though we were divorced, we remained close......My husband Bob died 5/2000. My dad died in 3/2001...... and just recently, my mother in law died 9/2008. I know we all have had such losses, but to me that has been a lot to handle in this time period. Coping has been very hard for me. I really don't have a hobby anymore............My hobbies always included my mother and grandmother. We always did things together like quilt making, baking, needle work of all kinds, etc. I have sort of lost interest. I do have my dogs, and they have become my passion these days. I have three shih-tzu's -- Cali.....8lbs, Chloe 9 lbs & Cookie 11lbs. I also have a lab-shepard mix, Cole, who is 93 lbs. Funny how there names all start with the letter " C " because I adopted them all, and they came with those names!!!! On 7-7-07 I remarried, and my husband had two persian cats. I never had a cat before and have fallen in LOVE with "Buster," the male cat. He reminds me of "Garfield" in the cartoon, with his big eyes, etc. Unfortunately the little female died unexpectedly, and now I am looking for a companion for my buddy "Buster." My husband says he is "MY" cat now...............he loves me!!!!!! (: !!!! I guess that is what keeps me going, my furbabbies. I was just wondering what are some of the things that you all do to cope when sometimes.............nothing seems to work to brighten your day??????? Most days, I just seem to exist............most people never even know I am so down. I can hide it pretty well because .............most people don't really seem to care...........like you all do... but I guess we have our reasons.......right?? Alot of people, especially the ones I work with, think that I should be over Rob's death by now, and I do not have to tell any of you that.......... .. we're never over it because you all know that it is not!!!! Okay..............I just wanted to vent.................Thanks for listening. If you have any suggestions or comments please send them my way. I really would like to get out of this rut. My husband and I both sold our homes, and we bought a beautiful house together. That was in the fall of 2006, and I still have boxes sitting about. I mostly could care less if they ever get unpacked, but the truth is that I need to get things in order. I am blessed with having such an understanding husband. He just says ..........when I am ready I will do it. He has helped considerably but there are just things he has no clue as to what to do with them, etc. And, imagine this...........I work in the criminal justice field, and I can't even have justice with my son's killers because they are no where to be found ............that is as of yet... and I will never give up the hope that someday they will get their due!!!.......................Diana My family has a thing for lighthouses. My mothers ashes are at the Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead, Ohio, and that is where my brother will also be... Please also be sure to visit Merry Christmas From Angel Robbie! I know one of Robbie's favorite songs was the song "Cats in the Cradle." So that is the song that I would like to have playing on Robbie's web page! Many thanks to Cathy, Angel Kenny's mom, for sending me the song! You can visit Kenny's web pages by clicking on his picture below... Halloween Party For All Angels I am thankful for God for allowing me the opportunity of being your mother. You were my first born and you brought me so much happiness and joy. I will never forget the first time you looked up at me with such a sweet smile. I kissed you right between the eyes..........those blue blue eyes!!!!!!!!! I will always remember that smile because every time I saw you...... you had that same sweet smile on your face.....until that day when you were taken away from me . I kissed you right between those blue blue eyes. You will always be my baby. I love you so much!!!!............. Your Mom forever R.....righteous O....outstanding B.....bright B ....beautiful I..........irresistible E........exceptional Diana, Angel Mom Of Robbie 10/7/69--06/16/94 Thanksgiving Angel Gathering Dear Diana I was very sorry to read about your ANGEL Robbie. What a handsome young man. Maria, as always, has done a wonderful job. GOD BLESS Sue-Anne/LEE In Loving Memory of Lee Henry Aguilera Artist: Carol Robinson Designed by Lily In loving memory of your son Robbie May he be in eternal happiness in heaven With loving remembrance Ann, Laurasmom My Angel Son Michael   A friend can hear a tear drop. Please visit Maria's Tribute to Christopher Angel Christopher Two Very Special Angels This webpage is created In Loving Memory of Robbie Gambrellon November 1, 2008 Last updated: January 20, 2009 © 2000 - 2009