Obituary - James L. Gilbert

James Leslie Gilbert, 64, passed away peacefully at home Sept. 8, 2012, one day before his 65th birthday. He was born Sept. 9, 1947, in Moscow to William E. and Josephine Kayler Gilbert. The family moved to Orofino when Jim was a toddler.

He contracted polio from the vaccine when he was 7 years old, which resulted in damage to his left arm and shoulder. His shoulder and wrist were fused when he was a senior in high school. His father died when Jim was 15 and he and his twin brother, Jack, were raised by their mother. Jim's indomitable spirit always found a way to succeed no matter what hardship he faced or task he tried.

Jim graduated with honors from Orofino High School in 1965. He attended the University of Idaho, majoring in civil engineering and graduated in 1969 as the UI outstanding graduating engineer. He later earned his professional engineering (PE) certification.

Jim met Dixie Barnes while attending college and they were married in 1970. After 42 years of marriage Dixie was still the love of Jim's life. He was a great source of strength for Dixie as she battled cancer. He was by her side for every doctor appointment, chemo and radiation treatment. He was especially grateful to the Kennewick General Hospital staff and her doctors and their staffs.

His first job after graduation was with Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel in Provo, Utah. They lived in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and California while Jim worked for PDM. In 1974, they moved to Richland when Jim took a job with the Washington Public Power Supply System. Since then he worked for various Hanford contractors. He was most recently employed by North Wind Inc.

Jim was a member of Ye Olde Car Club for many years. His first antique car was a 1931 Model A coupe, which his father purchased as a project. Following his father's death, the Model A was restored with the help of family, friends, Shelley Steiner's Auto Body and the Ford Garage in Orofino.

He was preceded in death by his father, William E. Gilbert. He is survived by his wife, Dixie; daughter Christine Green (Joel), Spokane; son, Richard Gilbert (Charlette), Kennewick; mother Josephine Duff (Gene), Lewiston; twin brother, Jack (Patty), Potlatch; stepsisters, Connie Groseclose, Moscow, and Nancy Blewett (Tom), Genesee; grandchildren, Valerie Gilbert, Kennewick, Mason Gilbert, Kennewick, and Lily Green, Spokane. Family meant everything to Jim. He adored his three grandchildren.

A memorial celebrating Jim's life will be at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Einan's Funeral Home Special Events Center, 915 Bypass Highway (240), in Richland. Help the family celebrate Jim's life at a reception following the memorial by sharing your memories of him.

Jim loved animals, especially dogs. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Pet Over Population Prevention (POPP), a nonprofit pet rescue organization, P.O. Box 442, Pasco, WA 99301-0442.

Lewiston Tribune, September 23, 2012, p. 7C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock