Grandpa Tom

"Dearly Loved" Our loving husband, father, brother and uncle, Tommy Richard Gilbert, passed away of natural causes August 4, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born June 14, 1933 in Peoria, Illinois to William R. and Vera Zimmerman Gilbert, the oldest of 8 children. Colonel Gilbert earned his Masters Degree from the University of Utah in 1977. He was commander of the 130th and the 109th Squadrons of the Utah Air National Guard and retired from there in 1989. He also worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and retired in 1990. Survived by his wife Ingrid; their 3 children Karen (Bryan) Rock, Larry and Gary (Cyndie) Gilbert; siblings Warren, John and Gary; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His smile and sense of humor will surely be missed. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 9, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road where a viewing will be held Thursday, August 8, 2013, 6-8 p.m. and Friday, 10-10:45 a.m. Interment, Utah Veterans Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma with details to be determined. 

A few words that come to mind when I think about my Grandpa:

toe sandwiches, horse rides, tickle torture "crawl around, crawl some," money hunts, flashlights, socks, youngest to oldest, dollar store trips, galleria, Tom's 66, hot dog roasts, ironing handkerchiefs, two dollar bills, Leatherbys, jukebox, chocolate malts, rocky road, chocolate chip, pepsi, feeding ducks, Hill Air Force Museum, driving lessons, jimmy dean sausage (burned), pepper, spam, Golden Corral, spearmint gum, two dollar bills, cameras, film, recliner, newspapers, airport shuttle, black shiny shoes, burton up shirts, crazy morning hair, movies, Jazz, clutter, cash, drawers of toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Arby's sandwiches, Wendover, Lexus, Camry, "hello up there" "see ya later!" 

Grandpa was a good man. He was mysterious in many ways and was very very private. He was a phenomenal grandpa and great grandpa. He did a lot to help me and my family through the years. He taught me how to drive. He forgave me quickly when I racked up $65 in parking tickets while using his car at BYU one weekend. He let Nate and I borrow a car for a good 6 months so we would qualify to buy our first home. He let me live in his home for 3 months with my baby Dallin so I could finish my BYU education. He picked me up and dropped me off countless times at the airport. He loved to visit and get caught up on what was going on in my life. He loved my kids and spoiled them rotten just as he spoiled me years ago. He wasn't very touchy feely, or emotional. In June though, when I called to wish him a happy 80th birthday he said two things to me that I will never forget. He told me that I was a good mom. He also told me he loved me. Those words meant a lot coming from him because they were not things he would say often. He was funny, kind and always had a smile to share. I'll miss him terribly.