Melvin Ray Gilmore

Melvin Ray Gilmore (“Mel”) of Jersey Village, Texas, passed away peacefully at home and joined his wife Adrienne and son Russell in eternal life in heaven on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at age 92. Mel was born in Giddings, Texas on September 7, 1933, to Jasper Gilmore and Edna Marie Hamff Gilmore.

Mel served in the U.S. Navy from 1953-1955, and upon his honorable discharge, Mel began his career in business. Mel married the love of his life, Adrienne Crittenden, on September 10, 1955. Mel and Adrienne had three boys – Kyle, Russell, and Gregg – and raised a wonderful family.

Mel received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Houston in 1963. Mel had a distinguished business career beginning with Shell Chemical Company, followed by sales management roles in the insurance industry. In 1991, Mel and his son Russell co-founded Gilmore Auto Sales, specializing in light commercial work trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles. Mel and Russell built Gilmore Auto Sales into a successful dealership with many loyal customers, until their retirement in 2023.

While Mel was a very accomplished businessman, his primary focus in life was his wife and family. He and his wife Adrienne enjoyed life together for 67 years. They resided in Jersey Village and also built and owned a beautiful family vacation home in San Leon on Galveston Bay. Mel introduced his sons to many enjoyable outdoor activities such as fishing, water skiing, boating, dove hunting, and motorcycling through Sam Houston National Forest. Mel was a man of many talents. He oversaw the construction of his two homes, the Gilmore Auto Sales office, kept his cars, boats and other possessions in meticulous condition, and taught his sons how to do the same in their lives. Mel was also an excellent chef and enjoyed grilling meats on his custom-made outdoor barbeque grill and smoker.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Terry Gay, his beloved wife Adrienne and son Russell. He is survived by his son Kyle Gilmore, his wife Judie, and their daughter Lauren Gallard and her husband Matt, as well as his son Gregg Gilmore, his wife Karen, and their daughters Elise Blanchette, her husband Ray and their son Raymond Blanchette, V. and Sydney Hopkins, her husband Kyle, and their daughter Emery Grace Hopkins.

Mel loved to laugh, loved his family and lived his life fully. He is dearly loved and will be missed by many.

A visitation for Mel will be held on Wednesday, December 10 beginning at noon at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008. The committal service is scheduled for 1:00 pm, followed by burial at Brookside Cemetery, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039, at approximately 3:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the family may be shared at www.heightsfuneralhome.com for the Gilmore Family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or Camp Hope in support of our country’s veterans.