Jack Ray Gilmore

Jack Ray Gilmore

Jack R. Gilmore, age 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 16th, 2024, at his home in Surprise, Arizona. Jack was son to Hazel and Ted Gilmore. Devoted husband to Susana Gilmore and his two sons; Troy and Jack Jr., and grandchildren Charlize and Nicholas.

Jack R. Gilmore was born July 1st, 1939, in Rulo, Nebraska. Rulo is a small rural town along the banks of the Missouri River.  To say that Rulo was a “small town” would be quite an understatement; with its entirety of population consisting of only 150 people.

Jack was a Marine Corporal Veteran who enlisted in the service in 1958. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. While proudly serving his country, Jack specialized in heavy artillery weapons.

After he successfully completed his military service, Jack quickly landed himself a job with Garrett Research Corporation; which is now known as Honeywell Aerospace, and headed out west to Phoenix, Arizona. He settled in Phoenix in 1966. This desert oasis is where he found his true passion for Engineering. He certainly would love talking about turboprop engines and all things related to the aerospace industry. Jack was very much an enthusiast of how engines worked. Throughout his 28 years with Honeywell, he was awarded many achievements and made serval suggestions to help save time and money for the company. Jack retired from his job in 1994 and was fortunate to be able to take an early retirement at the age of 55 years old.

Christmas of 1975, Jack met his wife Susana in Mexico City, Mexico, and have been together for 48 loving years. He would tell everyone that he only wasted three days before asking for Susana’s hand in marriage. He was the Loving Gringo to her large family.

Throughout the course of his adult life and long after retirement, Jack was an extremely skilled handyman. There was nothing he couldn’t do himself. This included building a swimming pool in the back yard, and building additions to their home.  He always had a phrase that made people smile, calling himself…“Jack of all trades and master of none.” This was his humorous motto. Jack was always a constant thinker and problem solver.  As evidenced throughout the years by his career as a engineer, he developed several patents for cars and the Postal Office. Tinkering in the garage was a hobby he immensely enjoyed. This passion further pursued when he began buying and restoring vintage cars. His childhood dream was to build a 1934 ford coupe. Needless to say, Jack was able to achieve this dream.

During his downtime Jack loved watching College Football and Boxing. His favorite TV show was “The curse of Oak Island”.

We are grateful for having been blessed to have Jack Gilmore in our lives to add such love and strength with his guidance and devotion. He will be remembered and honored always in our hearts.