Rex Gilmore passed away peacefully at home in Roseville, California on Thursday, December 16, 2021 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born on April 1, 1937 in Sweetwater, MO to Rex A. Gilmore, Sr and Virginia K. (Stettner) Gilmore, he was 84 years old.
Rex grew up in Dunn, MO (just outside of Mountain Grove). He attended the local schools and graduated from Cabool High School with the Class of “55”. While in high school he played the trombone in the school band and was a member of ROTC. After graduating from high school, he attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now known as MS&T) graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. He also graduated from CSUS with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Rex married Norma Erbe on August 6, 1959 at the First Baptist Church in Cabool. After the wedding, the newlyweds left on an adventure to CA settling in Yuba City. Rex went to work for the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) where he worked as a Civil Engineer for forty-one years. After six months in CA, Rex was commissioned as a Second Lt in the US Army and the couple moved to Aberdeen, MD. Rex and Norma eventually returned to CA and settled in Marysville before moving to Sacramento in 1967. While living in Sacramento, Rex was active for many years at El Camino Baptist Church serving as a Deacon, teaching Sunday School, and where he and his friends, Brian Lewis and Dan Ash operated a food closet that served approximately five hundred families a month for many years. Rex had many enjoyments in his life; however, he treasured the time that he spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Sandra J. Gilmore.
Rex is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Norma Gilmore of Roseville, CA and Willow Springs, MO; his son, Andrew Gilmore of Roseville; daughters: Kerrie A. Green and her husband, Steve of Federal Way, WA; and Mary Cederholm and her husband, Erik of Sheridan, CA. He is further survived by his grandchildren: William Andrew Gilmore and his wife, Dr. Caitlin Turner of Kirkland, WA, Sebastian Green of Honolulu, HI. Kamren Green of Seattle, WA; and Annelise Cederholm and Chloey Cederholm both of Sheridan, CA; and his nephew, Steve Holloway and his wife, Lisa of Pleasant Hill, MO.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church, located at 5th and Harris Streets in Willow Springs with Pastor Joel Hinds officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022 at the church from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Interment will follow at the Willow Springs City Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in his name to M.U.N.C.H Food Bank, 811 East Main Street, Willow Springs, or the Convoy of Hope at convoyofhope.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC in Willow Springs and East Lawn Mortuary in Sacramento, California. The family respectfully requests those who plan to attend to please wear a mask, whether you are vaccinated or not.
