M. W. 'Bud' Gilbert

Milford William Gilbert was born March 23, 1935, in Kilgore, Texas, to Milford L. and Ruby Gilbert. He departed this life on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at his home in Shawnee following a long illness. He attended schools in Tecumseh and Shawnee and spent four years in the U.S Navy, serving on the U.S.S. St. Paul. He married Carol Shirley on December 26, 1957, and their son Joey was born in 1966. Most of Bud's career was spent in the construction industry. He owned and operated Lamar Industries, Inc. in Shawnee until closing the business in 2008 due to failing health. He was involved in the construction of many large commercial and utility projects in Shawnee and throughout the state over the years. Bud was an amateur boxing champion in his youth and during his years in the Navy, and he later started a boxing club, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, for youth in this area. His favorite things were reading books and sharing them with friends, spending weekends at Lake Eufaula while Joey was growing up, tending his yard and garden, following O.U. Sports and the OKC Thunder, and rescuing stray animals. He loved God, his country, his family and friends, and he adored his two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sally Perez, and brothers Harold and Gary Gilbert. He is survived by his wife Carol of the home, son and daughter-in-law Joey and Terry Gilbert and granddaughters Madison and Kennedy Gilbert of Tulsa, his sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and Ralph Farley of Del City and their sons Greg and Matthew, sister-in-law Barbara Shirley of Shawnee, and several nieces and nephews. The family is very grateful to LifeSpring Home Health and Hospice Care for their compassionate care in Bud's final days. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee, with Chaplain Rev. Harry V. Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or any animal shelter.