Julian Jefferson Gilbert

Lt. Colonel (retired) Julian J. Gilbert went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, December 12, 2006, while at his home in Abilene, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, with Rev. Derrell Paterson officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Julian was born October 10, 1917, to Julian J. Gilbert, Sr. and Annie Laura Pirie Gilbert, southeast of San Antonio, Texas, at the family home of several generations. He attended school in San Antonio and graduated from Brackenridge High School. He was employed as a draftsman while attending St. Mary's University in San Antonio and Austin College in Sherman, Texas. It was during this time that he acquired his pilot's license and his love of flying. Joining the United States Air Force just after Pearl Harbor, he served as a pilot and flight instructor in Coffeyville, Kansas, Germany, and Austria. Upon the end of World War II, Julian enrolled in the University of Texas and completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering with honors. Julian was employed as a civil design engineer for the State of Texas for over 35 years. He met Virginia M. Bennett while attending St. Paul United Methodist Church in Abilene, Texas. They were married at Fairmont Methodist Church on April 23, 1955 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2005. A longtime member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, he served in several positions, including usher, board of stewards, and teaching Sunday School. A very intelligent, but modest man, Julian is remembered by all as a true gentleman, thoughtful and considerate of everyone regardless of their position. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Barbara Gilbert Perusek and Virginia Gilbert Dennison; and his son, Jeff Gilbert, on September 20, 1997. Julian is survived by his wife, Virginia Gilbert; his sister, Frances Gilbert Johannessen of Sonoma, California; his son, Gordon Gilbert of Boulder City, Nevada; two daughters, Amy Hocking and her husband Bill, and Gail Scruggs and her husband Gary; seven grandchildren, Aaron, Daniel, Anna and Jo Beth Hocking, Hayden and Jake Scruggs, and Brittany (Scruggs) White and her husband Matt; a brother-in-law, Dr. David Bennett, Jr.; two sisters-in-law, Lou Jean Swindell and Gloria Robertson; and many other loving family and friends. Memorials may be made to Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, Texas 79605, or Windcrest Alzheimer Care Center, 6050 Hospital Drive, Abilene, Texas 79606.