Ronald Phillip Gilmour

Ronald Phillip Gilmour, 92, beloved husband of the late Joyce Loretta (Nordstrom), died peacefully Wednesday November 29, 2023 at his home in San Antonio, TX, where he lived with his beloved son Gregory Gilmour during the past several years. Born in Flint Michigan, on February 1, 1931 at Saint Joseph Hospital, the son of the late John Gilmour and Mary (Crowley), he made his home in Flint, MI along with his retirement home in El Mirage, Arizona.

Ron graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a distinguished career at General Motors (AC Spark Plug) where he worked as a Liaison Engineer and was awarded several patents for his innovations. Ron was extremely intelligent and hard working, completing his degree via an accelerated program while married and caring for three young children.

Ronald loved his country and voluntarily joined the US Air Force where he served as a radio repairman in Hawaii (active duty during the Korean War).

After his service, Ron and his dear wife Joyce moved back to Flint MI, where they raised their family. Ron and Joyce were the proud parents of eight children, two daughters and six sons. Ronald once said that he and Joyce did not view having eight children as “work”, but rather “as a joy and an adventure.”

Ronald enjoyed the beautiful outdoors of the state of Michigan. He loved camping, boating, fishing, hunting, canoeing and bicycling. He shared his love of these activities with his family. Ron was an avid sports fan; he loved watching all sports, particularly football and his beloved University of Michigan.

Ron and Joyce prioritized family and felt it was important for the family get together regularly, despite the fact that their grown children live across the country. To ensure this, in their retirement, they built a beautiful home on Crooked Lake in Alanson, MI, where their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren met every summer for many years to experience an amazing family reunion. Everyone enjoyed swimming, boating (on the famous “Rontoon”), canoeing, telling stories around the fire pit, singing/dancing, enjoying delicious food and beverages, and loving being together.

During his later years, Ron enjoyed traveling with his companion and friend, Arlene Hope, visiting many places including China, Costa Rica, Cancun and Ireland.

Most importantly, Ronald was a faithful, caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and dear friend to many. Everyone who knew him experienced his optimism, intelligence, generosity, great sense of humor, ability to spin a yarn, technical aptitude (he could fix anything), and his love of family and friends.

Ron will be deeply missed by many. He is survived by his eight loving children: Denise (Gilbert) Himelhoch of Fenton, MI; Roger (Terrie) Gilmour of Flint, MI; Kent Gilmour of St. Petersburg, FL; Noel (Chris) Glab of Sebastopol, CA; Daniel (Virginia) Gilmour of West Hartford, CT; Gregory Gilmour of Converse, TX; Duane (Gia) Gilmour of Forest Grove, OR; and Bradly (Martha) Gilmour of Bloomfield Hills, MI. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Erin Gildenpfennig and Lindsey Himelhoch; Joe, Audrey and Adam Gilmour; Austin and Kiana Gilmour; Alexandra and Nathan Glab; Danielle Creem and Ryan Gilmour; Carl, Lindsey, and Rachel Gilmour; Gianina and James Perez and Heather Gilmour; Matthew and Nicholas Gilmour and 11 great-grandchildren: Ariella and Emmalyn Gildenpfennig; Noah and Zachary Gilmour; Siena Gilmour; Mila Creem; Maxeine Gilmour and Miro Gray; Kayden Boucher, Tiyarah Robinson, and Aubreyonna Gilmour. He also leaves behind his brother, Bruce (Darlene) Gilmour of San Tan Valley, AZ; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gilmour, and many dear nieces and nephews. Ron is predeceased by his beloved wife Joyce and his brothers Terry and James Gilmour (and James’ wife Barbara).

Services will be held on Friday August 2, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made in Ronald’s memory to the Tunnels to Towers at https://t2t.org/ Online expressions of sympathy may be made at porterloring.com