Elmer "Gil" Dean Gilbert

Elmer Dean Gilbert was born in Scott’s Bluff, Nebraska to parents James Elmer and Hallie Josephine (Straw) Gilbert. When he was very young, his family relocated to Payette, Idaho. He had three brothers: Wayne , Alvin, Marvin; and three sisters: Arlene, Erma, and Imogene. Elmer Dean grew up in an agricultural setting and he spent many hours working hard and topping beets and picking potatoes in Weiser, Idaho. He attended grade school in Weiser and graduated from Ontario High School in Ontario, Oregon.

Following graduation, he went to Seattle, Washington to work for Boeing. He was part of the team that assembled bomber aircraft to be employed in the WWII war effort. While still working for Boeing, he joined the US army. He didn’t just want to build planes, he wanted to fly them. During WWII, he was stationed on Tinian Island, the war’s busiest airbase (with two B-29 airfields on each end of the island). Gil had so many special memories and friendships from this time and fondly recounted many stories of exploits, camaraderie, and hardships during his time on the island. Following the conclusion of WWII, in 1946, Gil transferred from the Army Air Corps to the newly formed United States Air Force where he continued to serve in the military.

Elmer Dean met Amy Daphne Simila at a dance at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. They danced together once, then again, and in fact danced exclusively with each other for the rest of the evening and closed down the ballroom. This was the beginning of a dance that lasted for 60 wonderful years together. The two were married in St Johns Baptist Church on October 11, 1946. From their union came four children: Arnold, Russell, Garry, and Diane. During the Korean War, (Gil then an Air Force enlistee), Gil and family were stationed at Donnelson Air Force Base in Greenville, South Carolina. Following the conclusion of the Korean War, the family moved to Idaho for a brief period where worked as a TV repairman and later an ambulance driver. After their brief residence in Idaho, they settled in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Gil remained in the Air Force Reserves, and went to work as a toy buyer for Lippman-Wolf (now Nordstroms). After his employment ended with Lippman-Wolf, Gil went to work as a groundman for an electrical contractor. Later, he worked for the City of Portland Transportation Department as a truck driver. He retired at the age of 61.

Gil will be remembered as a man who loved to dance and sing. It has been said that Gil and Amy “danced their whole lives together”. Gil was an Elks Club member and spent many evenings with Amy dancing at the Elks. He also enjoyed playing cards and following sports – especially football, baseball, and basketball. He coached little league baseball and grade school basketball. There are countless fond memories of fun, mischief, and special times spent together. Of all the things Gil enjoyed, his favorite thing was just being with his family. He was so proud of his ever growing family and kept track of each and every member. If asked, he could share just how many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren he had. Gil passed away peacefully in Portland Oregon, on December 15th, 2012 at 90 years of age. Though it is difficult to say goodbye, we now take great solace in knowing he is again reunited with Amy and they are dancing together forever.

Gil is predeceased by his loving wife Amy Daphne; parents, James and Hallie; brothers, Wayne and Alvin; sisters Arlene, Erma, and Imogene; and brother-in-law Maurice Simila, and James Goin. Survivors include sons Arnold, Russell “Rusty”, and Garry; daughter Daphne "Diane"; brother Marvin “Marv”; brother-in-law Ken Simila; sister-in-law Sheila Goin; 18 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of Gil’s life will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, December 22nd, at 11am. He will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens, garden of the Nativity.

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