Ernest Harrison Gilbert Jr.

His family moved to OKC in 1930. He attended Harding Jr. High School and Classen HS. After graduation, he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At OU, he was a member of ROTC, and Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he served as president from 1939 – 1941. He completed one year of law school before being called to active duty in the Army. He served five years with the Army, including 37 months in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. He returned from duty with the rank of Major and was chosen to attend the Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

In 1945, he joined C. L. Frates and Co. of OKC. In 1946, he and his father formed Gilbert & Gilbert Independent Insurance Agency where he continued as owner-manager until 1984. He then sold the agency to Campbell-Kaufman, Inc., now part of the Insurance Center Agency of OKC. During this time, he was an active member of several insurance groups and served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of OKC and of the OK Association of Insurance Agents. He earned the professional degree of Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter in 1954. He served as president of the local CPCU chapter from 1957 – 1958.

Harry was a long-standing member of Crown Heights Christian Church where he held several leadership roles and was an elder emeritus.

Harry married Betty Gafford on April 11, 1945. They enjoyed 72 years together before her death in January, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Berger, of Midland, TX. Harry is survived by his four children, Carolyn Hert of Stillwater, OK, Suzanne Montgomery of OKC, Harry Gilbert, III, (Barbara) of OKC, and Phil Gilbert (Lisa) of Austin, TX; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 N. Kelley Ave., from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, August 3, 2018. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Crown Heights Christian Church, 4020 N. Western Ave., OKC. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd., OKC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Crown Heights Christian Church or the charity of your choice.