Dr. Judie Karen Gammage

Dr. Judie Karen Gammage passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, in Tyler with family by her side. She was 85. She was blessed with three daughters, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Judie was born on July 8, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, and her family moved to Florida before arriving in Texas, where Judie spent most of her life. She was the valedictorian of North Dallas High School in 1956 and was a 1960 honor graduate of Southern Methodist University. She earned advanced degrees, culminating with a Doctorate in History from North Texas State University in 1982. She wrote a dissertation entitled, “Quest for Equality: An Historical Overview of Women’s Rights Activism in Texas, 1890-1975.” Judie loved learning and enjoyed a nearly 50-year career as a college professor in the Dallas County Community College District. She began teaching computer programming when they had punch cards and retired in 2011 as a history professor. She was 73. During her marriage to Byron Gammage, the couple had three daughters - Karen, Stefani and Meredith. As a single mother, Judie took the girls on numerous adventures, sharing the love of travel she inherited from her parents, Katy and Trevor Walton. They embarked on weekslong summer road trips to national parks, historical sites and other scenic locales. Many involved camping in a tent or pop-up trailer. Judie continued her adventures as a grandparent, inspiring generations of wanderlust. Several of her kin have only a few states left to visit before they can say they’ve seen them all. Judie was a supportive and loving Nana, spending many hours attending her grandkids’ sporting events, theatrical productions and other activities. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed gardening and visiting the Dallas Arboretum, and collected lighthouses, birdhouses, and eclectic salt-and-pepper shakers. Judie is survived by her daughters, Karen Kathleen Hanie (Robert), Stefani Elaine Kopenec (Rich), and Meredith Ann Turnbow (Jody); her eight grandchildren, Kristin Clickner (Blake), Caleb Hanie (Andrea), TK Hanie (Rachael Chanin), Samantha Hanie (Jenny), Sara Kopenec, Andrew Kopenec, Tanner Turnbow, and Trevor Turnbow; and ten great-grandchildren, Cade, Avie, Nate, and Niya Clickner; Tatum, Landry and Jessie Jo Hanie; and Lottie, Chapel and Klein Hanie. She is also survived by her brother, David Bruce Walton (Jan) of California, and several cousins, nephews and a niece. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in the chapel at Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale, Texas.

Dr. Judie Karen Gammage

July 8, 1938 - October 20, 2023