Erwin 'Gil' L. Gilmore

Erwin "Gil" L. Gilmore died Dec. 8, 2013, at the Colorado Veterans Nursing home in Walsenburg, Colo. He was born in Persia, Iowa, on March 13, 1922, to Joseph W. and Lillian Withrow Gilmore. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife, A. Marie Kiernan Gilmore; and daughter, Catherine "Kaye" of Houston, Texas; sons, Donald and his wife, Donna, of Elizabeth, Colo., and Brian of Tempe, Ariz. Mr. Gilmore graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1940, and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served during WWII as an air mechanic crew chief with the 71st Fighter Squadron in England, North Africa and Italy. In 1949, he received his bachelor's degree and certification in journalism from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He received an MBA from the University of Colorado in 1968 and did additional graduate work at the University of Missouri. Professionally, Mr. Gilmore worked on the editorial desk at the "Omaha World Herald" 1949-52. He was sports editor and columnist (with the byline "Gil Gilmore") at the "Tri-City Herald" 1952-61 in Kennewick, Wash. From 1961-68 at "Denver Post" he did a variety of editorial work. From 1968–74, he taught high school English, journalism and photography at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo. From 1974 until his retirement in 1987, he taught English, journalism and photography at Window Rock High School on the Navaho Reservation near Fort Defiance, Ariz. While in Washington he refereed high school football. In Denver he was active in the Boy Scouts. After retirement in Arkansas, he did continue teaching as a substitute in Benton County School District, wrote his memoirs and indulged his love of carpentry and gardening. Mr. Gilmore was a member of the First Fighter Group Association, Sigma Delta Chi Professional Journalism Fraternity, Washington State Sports Writer Association, American Newspaper Guild, Washington High School Football Official Association. Interment of ashes will be at a later date at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. Correspondence can be directed to [email protected]. The family asks that any donations be sent in his name to: Colorado State Veteran Nursing Home, 235000 US Highway 160, Walsenburg, CO 81089.