James A. “Gib” Gilbert Jr., 67, of DuBois died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014 at his residence.
Born Jan. 12, 1947, he was the son of the late James A. Gilbert Sr. and Phyllis (Nasuti) Gilbert.
On July 6, 1968 at the Holy Byzantine Catholic Church in Sykesville, he married LaVerne (Sweka) Gilbert. She survives.
Mr. Gilbert graduated from the DuBois Area High School in 1965. He excelled in track, basketball and football.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1965-1969, where he served during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gilbert worked at Rockwell International Manufacturing for 10 years as a purchaser/buyer. He also owned and operated DuBois Industrial Supply and finished his career working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and Department of General Services in Harrisburg.
He had a significant impact on the youth in the community. He coached hundreds and hundreds of kids in the DuBois area.
An avid and passionate sports lover, he played softball for Murray Ford and Hallstrom’s in the 1970’s. He was affiliated with the DuBois Little League for 30 years as a coach, board member, umpire, manager and player.
He also coached midget football for the Sykesville Leopards and DuBois Panthers for 10 years. He was an avid fan of wrestling. He was the head coach of the DuBois Junior High football team for five years and led the team to three undefeated seasons.
He was also a member of the George D. Montgomery American Legion Post No. 17 and James J. Patterson Post No. 813 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Gilbert’s survived by four children, Andrew Gilbert, Becky Pasternak and her husband, Charles and Gretchen Clark and her husband, Jim, all of DuBois, and Joel Gilbert and his wife, Camala of Bellwood.
He’s also survived by two brothers, John Gilbert and his wife, Lenora of Brockway and Ron Gilbert and his wife, Barb of Falls Creek; two sisters, Lorrie Yakulis and her fiancé, Tom Reitz of Stockton, Calif. and Sherry Jewell and her husband, Mike of Reynoldsville; and eight grandchildren, Casey and Ryan Pasternak, Peyton Gilbert, Adisyn and Carsyn Gilbert, and Kaden, Madix and Jimi Clark.
He was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Christopher Clark.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Goble-Baronick Funeral Home.
A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Karl as celebrant.
Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded by the members of the DuBois Area Honor Guard.
Although flowers are appreciated, the family requests that memorials be placed with the DuBois Little League, P.O. Box 71, DuBois, PA 15801 and or the DuBois Area Football Boosters, 1161 Wayne Rd., Reynoldsville, PA 15851.
Online condolences may be sent to www.gbfuneralhome.com.