Burton Scott “Burt” Gammill was born in Clovis, New Mexico on August 9, 1956 to the home of Johnnie Bethuane “Joe” Gammill and Alice Joy Hood Gammill. He passed from this life on November 5th in Cypress, California. Burt grew up helping his dad and grandfather on the family farm west of Dora. He attended the Dora schools. He is remembered as a joyful, articulate student who was active and engaged with students and teachers alike.
After graduating high school in 1974, Burt attended ENMU and majored in Business. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Burt lived in Ruidoso for a short time and then returned to farm and do custom combining with his dad for a number of years. During this time, he served on the New Mexico Wheat Growers Association Board and was involved in several other Agricultural associations.
In 2002 Burt moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and began a career with the Optical Shop of Aspen company. In 2008 Burt moved to Lampasas, Texas to help his sister, Sandra Julian in her restaurant business, The Yumm Factory and together they renovated and established the G’s Steakhouse on the historic town square in Lampasas.
In 2012 Burt moved to Ventura, California to be closer to his younger brother, Cress. He was encouraged by former associates from Santa Fe to return to his career in the optical business and accepted a position with Euro Collective Eyewear in Newport Beach. He continued there until his passing.
When Burt was younger, he enjoyed being at the lake and water skiing. He also enjoyed snow skiing and traveling. Special highlights were a ski trip to Zermatt, Switzerland and visiting the Pyramids in Egypt. Burt had a fondness for corvettes and Mercedes and once took a Mercedes apart so that it could be repainted and then put it all back together!
Burt was a kind and thoughtful person. He made and had friends from all walks of life and they remained in his life because he cherished them all. One friend described him saying, “His laugh was truly infectious! When he laughed, he laughed from his core and when he cried, he cried from his core.” Caring about others was an important part of his beautiful character.
Burt was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by two sisters, Sandra Julian of Lampasas, Texas and Alica Jones of Alvarado, Texas and his brother, J Cress Gammill of San Pedro, California. He is also survived by three nephews, Spicer Lewis (Erica) of Hawley, Texas. Pace Lewis (Shaye) of Goldthwaite, Texas, John Marti of Henderson, Texas, their children and his many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in California in mid-December. A graveside service will be held at the Portales Cemetery at a later date.
