H. Donald Gabriel, 72, a native of the Ozarks and a longtime friend of the Branson community, died Sunday, Feb. 25, at his home in Branson after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 2, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 400 S. Sunshine, in Branson. Brother Bob Burton will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery in Branson. Family visitation is Thursday, March 1, 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home, 1638 E. Hwy. 76, Branson.
Don kept God, family and country as his priorities in life and literally touched the lives of everyone he met. He set a strong example of Christ’s love and helped build tourism in Branson. As a native, he loved to tell about his Ozarks roots – his great-grandfather was a circuit riding judge and his great-grandmother was a school teacher and midwife in Taney County. He often told how God took him from the Ozarks to Illinois and Iowa and back to the Ozarks.
Don believed that bringing tourists to Branson allowed God to minister to them because "Branson has a transforming effect on people." He left the Branson community with a strong message called the "Branson Manifesto." In it he encouraged the community "to continue being what we have been for over 40 years, which includes building on a strong foundation of Christian values, principles and morals. I believe that we should do this with humility and gratitude, but also with courage."
He was a member of Bee Creek Baptist Church and was attending Victor Baptist Church in Branson. As a former president and founder of Christian Business Men’s Committee, he was instrumental in coordinating the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. The first recipient of the committee’s Kingdom Builders Award, the honor has been given annually since then as the Don Gabriel Kingdom Builders Award. He was honored last December by the Christian radio network BOTT Radio with the Faithful Servant Award for his lifelong dedication to Christ. Inscribed were the words, "To God’s faithful servant, ‘Who has kept the faith and finished the course. Now there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness.’ II Timothy 4:7-8."
Seeing the growth of the Branson visitor-base was a long-time goal of his and he founded two tourism companies to that effect. He was a former president and founder of a tour group event, Destined for Branson. He was also a member of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
In recognition of the many years on the board of directors of the Branson Veterans Task Force, he was honored in November with the Lifetime Membership Award. He actively supported veterans’ causes in memory of his two brothers’ military service.
As the owner of a Midas Muffler shop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was the inventor of the "Mufftar" – a guitar made from a muffler. He built two and used them in promoting both his sons’ musical careers.
Don was born April 11, 1934, in Rueter, Mo., the son of William Glen and Georgie (Moore) Gabriel. He married Dorothy Standley on Aug. 28, 1954, in Des Plaines, Ill. His parents William and Georgie Gabriel and two brothers, Joe and Jack preceded him in death.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy of the home; two sons, Don Gabriel of Joplin and Doug Gabriel of Branson, and one daughter, Debbie Meyers from Cleveland, Minn.; one brother, Dale Gabriel of Marion, Ill.; two sisters, June Berg of Schaumburg, Ill., and Joe Weinacht of Cary, Ill.; and eight grandchildren.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Dorothy Gabriel Memorial Fund for Don Gabriel at the Branson Bank, 1501 St. Hwy. 248, in Branson, Mo. 65616.