My grandfather's obituary.

Dr. Leon (L.N.) Nelson Gilbert, Jr., age 91, went to be with our Lord and Savior early Sunday morning, Oct. 11, 2009. Family and friends were by his side through the week until his passing. Leon is remembered as a wonderful, loving husband, father, and grandfather, a special friend, a caring and beloved family physician, and a visionary servant-leader in the Bethany community and the State of Oklahoma. He also served in various capacities as a member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. We grieve our great loss and rejoice in his eternal gain. Leon was born to Leon Nelson Gilbert, Sr. and Alice Level Gilbert in Elmer (near Altus) Oklahoma, on May 3, 1918. He later moved to Norman to complete high school and met Geraldine Ella Shobert, whom he married, December 23, 1938. After 65 years of marriage, Geraldine passed away on January 31, 2004. They lived in Norman while Leon completed his BA in sociology at OU. After moving to Tulsa, Leon worked with the WPA for two years, placing people in jobs. Next he joined the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and trained at Ft. Sill, where his twin sons were born. He served overseas in the artillery and participated in the Normandy invasion and Battle of the Bulge. He attained rank of Major and received a Bronze Star, having served in the Army for five years. After his discharge the family moved to Dallas. Leon received his medical degree from the University of Texas School of Medicine in 1950 and opened his family practice in Honeygrove, Texas. After two years they moved to Bethany, Oklahoma, where he practiced medicine for 45 more years. He donated his services to pastors, missionaries, and school athletic teams for their annual physicals. His community service was extensive. It includes serving on the Oklahoma Welfare Commission for 23 years, the board at First Bethany Bank and Trust since 1964, Bethany First Church of the Nazarene board for 40 years, the general church board and the board of trustees at SNU. He paid college tuition for a number of students, was a major supporter of the Bethany Public Schools, coached church little league baseball, and taught Sunday School. Leon attended OU football games for over 40 years. He was very actively involved with his sons and their various activities. Leon is survived by their two sons, Jerald Milton and James Melvin Gilbert; his brother, Ronald Edward Gilbert; grandchildren: Brooke Zacheis, Vince, Leslie, David, Christopher, Belle, and Ashley Gilbert; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Opal Smith, Erma McClung, and Ruth Neal.