James Ralph (Jim) Gilger, Sr.

James Ralph (Jim) Gilger, 88, longtime El Paso, TX resident and Certified Public Accountant, died April 13, 2013 in Austin, TX. Jim was born July 4, 1924 in Cimarron, KS. His family lived and farmed in Tribune, KS during his childhood and high school years. Jim went to Hays College in Hays, KS and later, after entering the Maine’s V-12 program, he went to Bowling Green University in Ohio. After serving during World War II, Jim returned home to Tribune and married Mary L. Johnson on September 15, 1946. Jim was graduated from University of Colorado. After a few years of working in El Paso, Jim was called back into military service for The Korean Conflict which took them to North Carolina for a short while. Jim and Mary were married for 63 years, most of which were spent in El Paso.

James R. Gilger, Sr. is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Johnson Gilger, his parents, Charles C. and Mable Spalding Gilger, sister, Elsie, and brother, Art. He is survived by four children, Jim Gilger, Marsha Tolliver Holmes, Marla Wall, and Mark Gilger. He has 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, three sisters, Ruth Davis, Helen Glenn, and Pat Dodge, and one brother, Pete Gilger.

Jim had a long and successful career as a CPA. He was honored for 50 years of service by the Texas State Society of CPA’s and maintained his license until well into his 80’s. He was a member of Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in El Paso, TX. His loves in life were his family, community, great travel, good books, and good friends.

A Graveside Service will be held at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.