Thomas Vester Gilbert,'s Obituary
Thomas Vester Gilbert, Jr., a devoted Christian, passed away on May 17, 2013 in his home after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s at 87 years old. A long time resident of East Memphis, Tom was born December 10, 1925 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to Thomas Vester Gilbert, Sr. and Frances Borland Gilbert. He served in WWII and attended the University of Alabama as a dual athlete, brother in Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and member of the Alabama Million Dollar Marching Band. He married the woman of his dreams, Caroline Witsell, on June 14, 1952. Tom started his career with IBM and later founded Data Computing Services. He spent his free time coaching little league baseball, teaching Sunday school at First Baptist Church, golfing at Colonial Country Club, dove hunting with his sons, and cherishing every moment with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Witsell Gilbert; his brother, John Gilbert; his sister Mary Frances Gibson; his four children, Gwin Williams (Bobby), Tommy Gilbert. Blair Gilbert (JoAnn), and Gail Skinner (Ronnie); his eleven grandchildren, Lyndsey, Erin, and Whitney Williams, Chris, John Michael, and Katherine Skinner, Chip, Matt, Andrew, and Kristen Gilbert, and Anna Gilbert. He has been reunited in Heaven with his mom and dad, sisters, Dorothy Dahms and Ann Ostrow. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 20 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 North Michigan Avenue Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or www.alz.org Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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