Thurman Lynn "Chief" Gilbert
Feb 26, 1947 - Apr 22, 2006
Posted by Martha Reddout

Marietta Monitor
28 Apr 2006, Page 4

Interment was in Leon Cemetery, Leon. Arrangements were directed by Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

Born February 26, 1947, at Leon, the son of Dallas Dean and Leota Odessa Buckhanon Gilbert, he died Saturday, April 22, 2006, at North Texas Medical Center, Gainesville. A resident of Gainesville since 1981, he previously made his home in Marietta. He and Nova Diane Chapman were married November 11, 1968, in Pittsburg, Texas. Mr. Gilbert served in the U.S. Army in the infantry, including one year of service in Vietnam. He was awarded numerous medals, including the Purple Heart with Bronze Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and others. Mr. Gilbert was also a member of the Texas National Guard and a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW. Employed as an assembler at Weber Aircraft, Gainesville, he was a member of the Teamsters Union. Mr. Gilbert enjoyed making knives, gardening, bowling, music, and arts and crafts. He was one of those who could make anything. Most of all, Mr. Gilbert loved spending time with his family, including his many nieces and nephews who all called him Pap Paw. He was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Nova Diane Gilbert of the home; mother and stepfather, Odessa and H.P. Hunt of Overbrook; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Debra Gilbert of Healdton, Johnny and Cindy Gilbert, Ricky and Sherry Gilbert, all of Ardmore and Jimmy and Betty Gilbert of Leon; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Carolyn Gwin of Marietta, Debra Key of Ardmore, Janice and Danny Cantrell of Gainesville, and Cathy Dalton and Fred Ross of Pauls Valley.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dallas Dean Gilbert; two brothers, Calvin Glenn Gilbert and Carrol Eugene Gilbert; grandmother, Lillie Buckhanon; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nova and Joe Chapman.

Pallbearers were Leon Walterscheid, Jack Motsenbocker, Gary Johnson, Kenny Noggler, Johnny Abshire and Jason Abshire.