Dr. Richard Frank Gilmore Jr.

March 26, 1932 — May 25, 2025

Grand Junction, Colorado

Richard F. Gilmore, Jr., D.D.S., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025. He was 93 years old. Dick spent almost 63 years married to his sweetheart, Linda Gilmore. He wrote in his life history that of all the decisions he made in his life, Linda was the best one. They spent the last days of their lives sharing a room in the Hope West Hospice Care Center. Linda passed away three days before Dick, and now they are reunited again.

Dick is survived by their children, Dr. Shauna Gilmore of Centennial, Colorado, and Rick Gilmore (Debbie) of North Salt Lake, Utah; seven grandchildren (Cody, Remington [Kenzie], Regan, McKall, Riley [Paige], Rocky, and Magnolia [Sam]); and eight great grandchildren (Benson, Gwen, Daisy, Leo, Ivy, Teddy, Raleigh, and River).

Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, on March 26, 1932, at the original St. Mary’s Hospital. Dick was the son of Richard Frank and Mary Katherine (Sinner) Gilmore and older brother of Arthur L. Gilmore.

Dick’s first job was caddying at the Lincoln Park Golf Course when he was in third grade. He earned one dollar for carrying a full set of golf clubs for 27 holes, which he thought was a bargain because an ice cream cone was only ten cents. He was a diligent worker. In junior high, he delivered the Daily Sentinel newspaper by riding his bicycle on a route that spanned 9th Street to 15th Street, and Main Street to the railroad tracks. While in high school, he worked for the Pacific Fruit and Produce Company packaging and loading fruit boxes on Union Pacific train cars.

Dick pursed his undergraduate studies at the University of Denver. During the summer, he worked on the Bridge and Building Group (B&B Gang) for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. His first job on the railroad was separating big rocks from little rocks, which helped convince him to continue his education.

Dick followed in his father’s footsteps and became a dentist. He received his D.D.S. from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the Navy in 1956 and became a Lieutenant in the Dental Corps. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri La (CV-38) during the Formosa Crisis.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Grand Junction where he did what he loved, being a dentist. His practice totaled 55 years. He was blessed to practice with his father for 12 years and his daughter for 5 years, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Dick was beloved by his patients, many of which were his lifelong friends. They appreciated his meticulous attention to detail along with his kind and compassionate care.

Dick started dating Linda in the fall of 1960 and she soon became the love of his life. They were married on June 17, 1962, in the First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction, which ended up being a standing room only event. His love and admiration for Linda never faded. They enjoyed traveling the world together. Some of their fondest memories came from their many European bicycle tours and cruises with Dick serving as the cruise ship dentist.

Professionally, Dick served as the Western Colorado Trustee to the Colorado Dental Association and dental examiner for the State of Colorado for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service. He was recognized by his colleagues and awarded fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 1985 and inducted into the International College of Dentists in 1999. He and Shauna are the first father-daughter fellows in the history of the International College of Dentists, which is something that he cherished immensely.

He loved supporting his children and their activities, which included going to countless swim meets, tennis tournaments, and basketball games. He was the meet director for the Grand Junction Dolphins Annual Invitational Swim Meet for almost a decade and longtime Board Member of Mesa County Parks and Recreation.

Anyone who knew Dick, knew he had a heart of gold. His kind smile and warm hugs made everyone feel welcome and appreciated. His keen memory could recall fascinating stories and historical events. He had a twinkle in his eye and always carried a cheerful disposition. His life has taught us to be a little more kind, gentle, and patient with each other. He will be dearly missed and loved always.

A Celebration of Dick and Linda’s lives and the love they shared will be held on Saturday May 31, 2025, 2:00 pm, at the Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Rd, Grand Junction, Colorado. Their Celebration of Love will be held at the same venue where their wedding reception was held almost 63 years ago. Dessert bar and mingling will follow the service.

Burial services will be at Veterans Memorial Cemetery; 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, Colorado, on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to HopeWest or the Colorado Mesa University Foundation.