Robert "Bob" Eugene Gilmore, Jr.

Robert Eugene Gilmore, Jr., (“Bob”) was born December 18, 1925, in Allen, Oklahoma, to Robert Eugene Gilmore, Sr. and Ruby Jones Gilmore. He departed this life at Duncan, Oklahoma, on January 4, 2021. Bob married Bonnie Marie McCaskill on November 26, 1946, and was married to Bonnie until June 30, 1975. All of Bob’s children were born of that marriage. He is survived by his children, Robert Patrick Gilmore and his spouse, Libby, William Thomas Gilmore and his spouse, Sheila, Mary Kathryn Behlen, and Shannon Lea Herrod and her spouse, Ken. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and a sister, Roberta Jean James.

He was preceded in death by his eldest child, Michael Lee Gilmore, and his youngest child, Rebecca Jean Tomlin. He was also preceded in death by his father, mother, one grandchild, the mother of his children, Bonnie, and a spouse, Patricia Gayle.

Bob is also survived by many friends, including his best friend whom he considered a brother, Bill Davis, and his “favorite son who was not his son”, Bob Hill.

While he is most well-known and recognized as a Bluegrass music artist, receiving many honors and accolades, including being recognized by the Oklahoma Legislature as a “State Treasure” for his music skills. Bob was also a sailor, roughneck, driller, tool pusher, drilling superintendent, storekeeper, inventor, fisherman, father, and friend to many. He loved to watch football at any level and any sport his grandchildren played. He was an avid reader whose reading preferences and breadth of general knowledge would surprise many people. He was extremely well read. In fact, he has been referred to as a “renaissance man in overalls”. He was kind and generous with his time and resources, always supportive and never judgmental or critical (except when discussing politics).

In later years, his greatest passion was “pick’n” with the other Old Geezer, Bill Davis and the “young’ns” who will someday be Old Geezers themselves. Bob lived a very full life to the end of his 95 years on this earth and, having accepted Christ as his savior, was prepared to turn the page, confident in his salvation.

Masks and social distancing will be in place at the services and cemetery.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 8, 2021 at the Abundant Love Fellowship, Maysville, OK with Bro. Danny Gamble officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com