Robert K. Gilmore Sr.

Robert (Bob) Kirk Gilmore, Sr., died on September 16, 2015 after a short battle with cancer. A member of The Greatest Generation, Bob was born on June 22, 1921, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Jesse and Peter Gilmore, first generation U.S. Citizens whose parents immigrated from Scotland. He was an original member of the “Knothole Gang,” playing hooky from school and hitching rides to watch his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers (now Yankees) through the knotholes in the fence at the Polo Grounds. He always said that he was lucky to be alive, since most of his childhood hooligan friends either ended up as cops or in prison. Bob was proud to be the first in his family to graduate from high school before joining the U.S. Army in August 1942. He served in the 5th Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Engineer Battalion in Company C. He served for nearly four years, being stationed in North Africa, Sicily and Italy sweeping mine fields. He received the World War II Victory Medal, American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and reached the rank of Corporal before being honorably discharged for a medical injury. Bob met his wife of 52 years, Imogene (Jean) Collins, at U.S. Army Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was sent for rehabilitation for his injuries. It was love at first sight for the two. After a brief three month courtship, Bob and Jean eloped across the state line to Columbus, Mississippi. They telegraphed her parents from Columbus to announce their marriage, at which time Jean’s mother “took to her bed,” upon learning that their 17 year old daughter had married a 24 year old Yankee. Bob was also the first in his family to graduate from college, obtaining a degree in Physical Education in 1952 from the University of Alabama. Always passionate about sports, Bob wanted to be a coach, but coaching didn't pay the bills for a young couple with two babies. With the generous help from a family member, Bob began a long successful career in the newspaper business starting in the circulation department at the Tuscaloosa News. Opportunities to become a publisher beckoned in Texas, so he and Jean moved the family first to Baytown, where he became the business manager of the Baytown Sun, then to Brenham, where he became the owner and publisher of the Brenham Banner Press. Next, he owned and operated the Altus Times in Altus, Oklahoma from 1970 to 1984, while also purchasing other newspapers across southwest Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Missouri. His final stint as a publisher was in Alvin, Texas. Upon his retirement from newspaper publishing, Bob was appointed in 1994 to serve the Oklahoma State Senate as a Sergeant-At-Arms, serving at the pleasure of six President Pro Tempores, including Robert Cullison, Stratton Taylor, Cal Hobson, Mike Morgan, Glenn Coffee and Brian Bingman. Bob loved his second family at the Oklahoma State Senate and eagerly looked forward to the start of each legislative session. His fellow Sergeants held a special place in Bob’s heart and their attention and devotion to him is greatly appreciated by the family. Everywhere Bob and Jean moved, he was very active in the community, serving in many leadership roles over the years, as president of the local Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the United Way, president of Rotary Club, Honorary 4-H member and president of local athletic booster clubs, to name just a few. Bob also loved his service to the State of Oklahoma as a gubernatorial appointee to the Oklahoma Industrial Development Commission, the Oklahoma State Commission on Government Reform, the Special Committee on Capital Improvements and various other boards and commissions. First and foremost, Bob was a humble Christian, ordained as a Deacon in the Southern Baptist Church. He and Jean were servant leaders of the Young Married Couples class in Altus, helped start the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter in Altus and, with his good buddies at First Baptist Church, Altus, taught the Maverick Sunday School Class in Tims’ Funeral Home. He and Jean were proud to be invited to the National Presidential Prayer Breakfast by three different presidents, including Carter in 1975, Reagan in 1983 and Bush in 1992. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital for the gentle care given to Bob over these past few weeks. Predeceasing Bob are his parents, beloved wife, Jean, brothers Roy and Joe, and sister, Isabelle. Survivors include son Robert K. Gilmore, Jr., Oklahoma City; daughter Carole Atkinson and husband, Jim, St. Louis, Missouri; and daughter Jan Loftis and husband, James. Grandchildren include Kirk and Marcie Atkinson, Stillwater; Katie Atkinson and her special friend, Benjamin James, St. Louis; Jeff Loftis, Dallas; David and Melissa Loftis, Oklahoma City. Great grandchildren are Jay Atkinson, Alexis Kelty, Kameron Atkinson, Kennedy Atkinson, Meagan and Spencer Williams, Matthew Loftis and Carter Loftis. Visitation will be at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors on Thursday and Friday with the family receiving friends Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, located at N. Kelley and Memorial Road, on Saturday, September 19th at 11 a.m.