Ken Gilmore

William Kenneth “Ken” Gilmore, 86, lost his brief battle with cancer and died at home under the care of Hospice of Lubbock on March 29, 2023.

Ken was born on December 8, 1936, to Cecil and Inez Gilmore in Stanton, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Rose (Libby) Gilmore, on August 6,1955. He farmed irrigated cotton in Martin County for nine years, then sold out his farming business and moved his family to Austin to attend the University of Texas. After school, he worked for an insurance company that moved his family to Lubbock. He started Gilmore Insurance Agency, a family independent insurance agency, that he owned for 38 years as chairman and CEO. He gave credit for his business success to God. He served in leadership roles with the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and the Combined Agents of America. He served as a past president of the Lubbock Lions Club and chairman of the board of the Better Business Bureau of the South Plains. He retired on October 31, 2005.

He loved to travel, was an avid golfer and loved his Texas Longhorns. He lived his faith in everything he did. He was an active member at Highland Baptist Church in Lubbock, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and in leadership roles on church committees. He was known as an encourager to others with his big hugs and big smile. He loved being a husband, father, and “Poppy” to his grandchildren.

Ken is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Libby; daughter Lynn; sons Kerry (Teri Jo) and Greg; granddaughter Emily; grandson Preston; and a host of extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ruby Payne.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Resthaven Funeral Home. A service to celebrate his life will be held at Highland Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 4, at 10:00 am, with burial following at Resthaven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s memory may be made to one of the ministries at Highland Baptist Church (highlandbaptist.org) or to a charity of your choice.