Wayne Gamble

Ernest Wayne Gamble passed away on December 23, 2022 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Stacy Willis, brother Christopher Gamble, cousin Isaac Saiz and his parents Hope and Ernest Gamble. 

Known as Ernie growing up, he was born February 28, 1971 in Apple Valley, California. He spent his formative years in Atascadero, California where he fell in love with the Central Coast. It was there that he developed his passion for music and performing. This passion led him to play in Atascadero High School Jazz Band and in his first gig band, The Renditions. 

While attending San Diego State University, he became known as Wayne and eventually earned his music degree with a minor in chemistry and his teaching credential. He continued playing in various bands and began producing albums. As for the friends he made in college, many of them would become lifelong cherished friends. 

After college, Wayne returned to the Central Coast and started teaching at Mesa Middle School for the Lucia Mar School District, where he taught for 20 years. Wayne was a gifted teacher and he influenced many students’ throughout his career by passing on his enthusiasm and adoration of music and by connecting his lessons to their lives.   

Once established professionally he finally met his match and true love, Stacy Willis. Stacy, as a social worker, and Wayne, as a teacher, shared common values of social justice, philanthropy and contributing to the greater good. Both also shared a passion for the arts, especially music. Together, they created a dynamic, fun loving couple whose appetite for adventure saw them travel the world and whose outgoing nature brought more people together. They were best friends and madly in love; a genuinely beautiful partnership. 

Wayne loved to write music and perform, and he was in many different Central Coast bands throughout the years. Most recently, he played and recorded with the bands Occasional Mustache, Erin and the Earthquakes and The Mother Corn Shuckers. The local music scene will not be same without him and his big, beaming smile. 

Ernest Wayne Gamble will be dearly missed. His dynamic spirit, genuine kindness, creativity and love will always be cherished and remembered. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 2-4p.m. at The Edwards Barn, 1095 Pomeroy Rd., in Nipomo.

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