James Gobby Gabrick

James, "Jim" "Gobby", R. Gabrick, of Fountain City, WI died unexpectedly at his home of a heart attack at the age of 63. Jim was born June 29, 1954 a son of Eugene and Helen (Duellman) Gabrick. At 12 years old, Jim did odd jobs for his Grandpa Hilarion such as taking care of the bear, mowing grass, and painting. At 14, he began pumping gas at the Texaco (Conoco) station. At 16, Jim began working for Elmer's Auto Salvage in Fountain City, working there until the time of his death. Jim took extreme pride in serving his customers at the salvage yard. He attended Cochrane-Fountain City High School, graduating with the C-CF class of 1972. Jim loved bow and gun hunting, whether it be hunting on the Fountain City ridge or traveling to Alaska and northern Canada for his next big game hunt. He was attempting to achieve the North American Super Slam with a bow. He had harvested 24 out of the 29 animals in his lifetime. He always told his big game hunting guides that he wanted to shoot the animal with a bow and for it to meet Pope and Young qualifications for the specific species. He not only enjoyed the actual hunt, but more enjoyment came from the stories he told afterwards. He always had interesting stories about the hunting guides, the people he hunted with, the unique food he tried, or the bathroom situation when out on a hunt. Jim was the ring leader of the deer hunting crew and the sausage making that took place in his garage after hunting season. There was as much fun and laughter that took place as there was work. After his mother died, Jim carried on the tradition of making the "Duellman 2-hour frosting" cake and bringing it to family holidays. He would wait to bring it out later as a special treat for the clean-up crew. Jim also cooked a turkey, made a delicious 3-bean casserole, and brought enough milk, pop, and juice boxes for the kids at the family gatherings. Jim was proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and had been a Boy Scout leader in Fountain City for a number of years. He was also a member of the Winona Archery Club, BT Strutters, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Sheep Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and other hunting associations. Jim is survived by his 10 siblings, Rita (Allen) Putz - Austin, MN, Marie (Bernard) Malchaski - Fountain City, WI, Barbara (James Jr. "Chinski") Losinski - Arcadia, WI, Michael "Shadow" (Sara) Gabrick - Fountain City, WI, Jerome (Gail) Gabrick - Fountain City, WI, Roxanne Gabrick - Fountain City, WI, Annie (Wendell) Klein - Trempealeau, WI, Leo Gabrick - Dodge, WI, Thomas (Cindy) Gabrick - Fountain City, WI, Susan (John) Lien - Independence, WI, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Helen Gabrick, paternal grandparents, Michael and Victoria Gabrick, and maternal grandparents, Hilarion and Anna Duellman, and niece, Victoria Losinski. Jim will be remembered for his generous, caring, and kind personality. He was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Jim will be greatly missed by his family, relatives, friends, and auto salvage customers. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 1-4 pm at the Hilltop Bar and Ballroom. Camouflaged and casual clothing is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to local youth organizations pertaining to hunting, fishing, conservation, and wildlife.