Vernon Wayne Gilbert

Vernon Wayne Gilbert was born August 14, 1932 to William Edmon and Mary Wanda Gilbert near Ralls, Texas, the second of nine children. He attended public schools at Anton, Cone, Sundown and Abernathy, graduating from Abernathy High School in 1950 with honors in chemistry and math. He worked in a training period for Lubbock Armored Service in Lubbock.

He married Shirley Ruth Higginbotham on August 15, 1953 in Lubbock, Texas. They moved to Midland the same year and established Midland Armored Transfer, an armored car banking service. This business was expanded into other lines of security and renamed Midland Security Service.

The business was incorporated in November 1973 under its present name, Aprotex Corporation and has branch offices in San Antonio and Lubbock. Vernon served as Chairman Emeritus for the company at the time of his death.

Vernon accepted Jesus as his Savior at age fourteen. In 1993 he completed the Masterlife Discipleship training course sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention and has been in Christian outreach since then. He and Shirley established Gilbertex Foundation, Inc. which supported Christian missionaries and provided Bibles and other Christian literature to churches and individuals.

Vernon enjoyed flying and had logged over five thousand hours as a private pilot. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 1968 and was a donor to their Air Safety Foundation.

Vernon was a charter member and past president of the Associated Security Service and Investigators of the State of Texas and was instrumental in getting laws passed to benefit the security industry and the citizens of Texas. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and supported other conservative causes. He served as Sergeant of Arms for the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association from 1969 through 1971. He was a member of Bellview Baptist Church of Midland.

Vernon passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and other family members at his side on February 21, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held at Ellis Resthaven chapel 4616 North Big Spring, Midland, Texas on Wednesday March 4, 2026, from 4-8pm with a message delivered at 5:30pm. Officiating will be grandson, Jeffery Gilbert.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Logan Gilbert, Travis Gilbert, Tyler Gilbert, Bryce Gilbert, Vernon Paul Gilbert, Justus Gilbert, Tanner Gilbert, and Justin Rau, husband of granddaughter, Jennifer Rau.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Midland, Texas, three sons; Gary, and wife Ramona; Randy, and wife Cheryl; and Roger and wife Kimann, all of Midland; one daughter, Sherri Pryor and husband David of Snyder, Texas; twenty-five grandchildren and forty-five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jack and Frank of Arkansas; one sister, Nelda Harris of Odessa and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vernon always believed that family ties were very important. Being a devoted husband, father and Pawpaw, he will be missed by all of his family.

Any donations may be made to Meals on Wheels (Senior Life) or Hospice of Midland.