Grady Gilmore

Grady Bevil Gilmore, 98, of Kountze, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017. He was born on November 19, 1919, in Silsbee, to Ida Watts Gilmore and John Henry Gilmore.

Mr. Gilmore was known to most as “G.B.”. He was a star basketball player for Silsbee High School in the 1930s. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), or what he referred to as the “Tree Army” after high school. He then enlisted into the United States Army October 11, 1940, and honorably served as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic stateside and in the Pacific Theater until his discharge on June 17, 1945. After his discharge, he moved back to Hardin County. On November 7, 1949, G.B. married Bernice Vickers, and they built a home in Kountze, were they raised their daughter, Vicki, and his step-daughter, Betty. He remained a devoted husband for over fifty years, until her death.

Many in the surrounding area would know G.B. for his business, Clarks Plumbing & Electric Supply Inc., which he owned and operated for over fifty years. He was a member of the Silsbee Masonic Lodge #927 for over seventy years. He was known for an even demeanor and strong work ethic.

G.B. is survived by his daughter, Vicki Johnson and her husband, Jay, of Kountze; grandson, Jason and his wife, Julie; great-grandchildren, Drake and Oliva Johnson, of Pearland; stepdaughter, Betty L. Brown of Bakersfield, California; step-granddaughter, Angela Castaneda of Bakersfield, California; and siblings, Nelmer Whisenant of Fred; Leston Gilmore of Wharton; and Betty N. Vandiver of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Charles and James; step-grandsons, Huey “Bubba” Brown, Jr. and Mitch Brown; and son-in-law, Huey Brown, Sr.

A gathering of Mr. Gilmore’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze. His interment will follow at Old Hardin Cemetery, Kountze.