James Elwood Kilgore

Jim was born on March 26, 1932 and grew up in Nitro, West Virginia. He was the only son of Dolly and Garland Kilgore and brother to his five sisters; Maxine Belt, Truda Null, Bonnie Perry, Juanita Ozier and Shirley Garnes.

After graduating from Nitro high school Jim joined the Army in 1951. During his time in the Army he earned both his Bachelors and Master Degrees and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1981 when he began working for the Federal Civil Service. He fully retired from government service in 1996 and began volunteering at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery since it’s opening in 2006. Jim is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded several commendations and medals during his military career including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kani, sons Kirk and Garland II, daughter Marjorie, 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 1pm at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of Jim’s life will follow the service at the Copperas Cove VFW. In the lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Jim can be made to the American Cancer Society.