Thomas "Tom" Gilbert

Thomas “Tom” Gilbert

A celebration of life for lifetime Lamar, Colorado resident Thomas (Tom) Gilbert will be held at10:00AM on Friday June 30, 2023 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Reverend Kathy Leathers officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fairmont Cemetery in the Veteran’s Section in Lamar with full military honors under the auspices of the local VFW and American Legion posts as well as burial rites under the auspices of the Lamar Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #1319.

Tom was born on September 26, 1927 at the S.E. Colorado Hospital to Guy G and Vivian

(McClain) Gilbert of Lamar. The family lived 10 miles north of Lamar in May Valley on the family farm/ranch raising sheep. His sister Eleanor was born six years later on July 23, 1933.

Tom attended Clover Meadow School through 8th grade and graduated Lamar Union High School in 1945. He joined the US Navy following graduation and went to boot camp in San Diego, California. While he was enlisted, he volunteered for Operation Crossroads atom bomb testing at Bikini Marshall Islands. He was discharged for the US Navy in 1946 and started college at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) where he studied agriculture.

In 1950 his parents and sister moved to Lamar while Tom stayed on the farm and on September 12, 1953 married Mary Ann McClure, bringing the city girl to the country. To this union their daughter Karen was born on March 13, 1955 and son Alan was born on February 20, 1960. In 1967 the family moved across the road to the family home built by Mary Ann’s father.

Tom farmed and raised sheep and cattle until his retirement at the age of 75. He and Mary Ann enjoyed their time traveling and going on cruises which took them to places throughout the world including Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.

Tom was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Lamar. He was also a longtime member of the Lamar Elks and American Legion since 1947. Tom served on several boards including Farm Bureau, Fort Lyon Canal and school.

When Mary Ann passed away in 2016, Tom stayed on the farm and enjoyed his time going to the Truck Plaza with his friends and watching the farm crops grow thanks to Mike Downing and Family. He enjoyed his trips to Castle Rock and the family holidays and was happy to become a Great-Great grandpa.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann in 2016, sister Eleanor in 2005 and his parents Vivian in 1968 and Guy in 1974.

He is survived by his daughter Karen (Randy) Akers of Castle Rock and son Alan Gilbert of Fort Lupton, grandchildren Cassandra Freeman, Travis (Jacque) Akers, Lindsey Gilbert, Justin Gilbert and Megan Gilbert, great grandchildren Anjelica Akers, Christian Akers, Gavin Hewitt and Isaac Hewitt, great-great grandchildren Delilah Akers- Inglese as well as many other family members and a host of friends also survive.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Area Hospice either direct or in care of the funeral home office.