Gilbert Nick Medina

Gilbert Nick Medina passed away peacefully on December 15, 2023 at the Southern Nevada Veterans Home in Boulder City, NV. He was born in a small Utah mining town in December 1928. His parents Jose Florentino Medina Sr. and Elvira Medina were there to follow the available work. Nonetheless he was in his heart, a Chamero, a loving way of identifying oneself with the village of Chama, New Mexico where he grew up. As one of the oldest children in a large family, he learned quickly to be very resourceful. Gilbert loved camping in the majestic mountains that surround Chama Valley and fished in the Rio Grande and Chama Rivers, at first to help feed his brothers and sisters, and then because he appreciated the splendor of its natural beauty.

Gilbert enlisted in the U.S. Navy soon after his 17th birthday. After basic training in San Diego , CA he was assigned to the USS Dixie AD-14 in San Francisco where the assignment took him to the Marshall Islands and to Bikini Atoll, the site of the Atomic Bomb testing. His next assignment was to the USS Allen M. Sumner DD-692; this mission took him to Japan, China, Guam, the Philippines, and to Australia, where he was part of the First Task Force Fleet to enter Sidney after the end of the war. After his discharge, Gilbert continued his education through a correspondence course at the Wayne School at La Salle University in Chicago, IL, and was a proud graduate of the school of Hard Knocks.

Gilbert moved to Henderson in 1951 and was embraced by the Reynaldo Martinez family. He immediately found employment at Titanium Metals Corp. and quickly became active in the community. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion B.M.I. Post 40 and was the Post Adjutant for 15 years. Gilbert was also a lifetime member of the VWF Post 3848, having been an integral member in both Posts for 72 years. He served as VFW Post Chaplain for 19 years, as VFW Post Service Officer and as VFW Post Surgeon. Overall, he lent decades of his energy and experience to activities such as Homeless Projects, Annual Buddy Poppy and Fund Raising Drives, and numerous activities that benefited all veterans, but especially to those at VFW Post 3848 and the American Legion B.M.I. Post 40.

Gilbert’s talents were notably applied to Henderson Senior Citizens as he cheered residents with classic tune sing-a-longs and Honky Tonk music while playing the piano, guitar, and accordion. That musical talent was shared with the St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he sang and played guitar for the weekly Spanish Mass and on special occasions. St. Peter’s also benefited from his generosity through his participation in parish events and church building pursuits. His family notwithstanding, he could easily be described as the “life of the party.”

During all this activity, Gilbert found the time for romance. He married the love of his life Susie Trujillo from El Rito, NM in 1954 and had three daughters, Anita, Letitia, and Janet Mary (who passed away soon after birth and who was the first burial at the newly built Palm Mortuary-Henderson in 1964).

He served his civic duty with an appointment to the Henderson Civil Service Board for 4 years and was an active member with the Knights of Columbus until his health prevented him from participating any further. Gilbert loved the camaraderie he enjoyed with the people of Henderson and beyond. After thirty years at Nellis Air Force Base as a Civil Service Warehouseman, he kept the promise he had made to his wife Susie that he’d show her the world. And that he did. Gilbert took her to Rome, Paris, Mexico City as well as to other European sites. Upon returning stateside, the two of them frequently took off on the road to see Americana, cruise to Alaska, and to “Fly the Friendly Skies of United.” After his wife passed away, Gilbert continued to live life to the fullest, a La Vida Loca! And anything that didn’t come out perfectly or go his way exactly, he applied the wisdom found in the Serenity Prayer. If that didn’t work, he was famous for saying, “It’ll Do!”

Gilbert is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years Susie; baby girl Janet Medina; his parents; and his brothers and sisters Benny, Flory, Reynaldo, Margaret, Stella, and Josie. He is survived by siblings Dennis, Samuel ,Raymond, Mary and Carol. He leaves as part of his legacy two daughters, Anita Wong (Sergio) and Dr. Letitia Worth (Larry) whose husbands he regarded as sons. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Nicholas Gilbert Diaz, David Worth, Angela Rosa, Dennis Worth, and Julian Diaz; nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, all of whom were his pride and joy.

Viewing will be at Palm Memorial-Henderson on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A rosary will recited at 4:15 p.m.; final viewing will end at 5:00 p.m. On Monday, January 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Boulder Highway in Henderson, NV. Internment will take place directly after the Mass at Palm Mortuary-Henderson near the Serenity Mausoleum. A celebration of life reception will take place immediately following the interment TBA on site. Please join the family in remembering Gilbert Nick Medina by visiting his memorial at

www.palmboulderhighway.com to add and view cherished photos and stories as of them there are many!