J. D. Gilmer

Memorial Services for J.D. Gilmer, 81, Ellinwood, KS will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Ellinwood, KS.  Private inurnment will be at a later date in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, KS.  He died on Friday, May 28, 2010 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka, KS.

He was born on August 3, 1928 in Lamar County, AL, the son of Bernice and Ruby Lee Woods Gilmer.  He was a 1946 graduate of Ellinwood High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He was stationed on Okinawa. He later attended the University of Alabama and the University of Kansas.

Mr. Gilmer was the retired owner of Pride International (import/export) Janitorial Supply. He founded this company in 1990.  He was the former president and general manager of the Misco International Chemicals.  Throughout the 1950’s & 60’s, he worked in the oil field supply business in central Kansas. He worked for Mid-Continent Supply in Great Bend and the Mountain Iron Supply.  Following his retirement, he served as a business consultant throughout the country.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Wichita, KS, the American Legion of Ellinwood, KS and the Rotary Club of Ellinwood.  He was the founder of the Gathering of Eagles, which was an Ellinwood High School Alumni Group, and he was the Founder and President of the Wheat Bowl, Inc. for thirteen years.  This bowl was for NAIA college football teams and the games were played in Barton County.

He was married to Donaleigh Rensch. They later divorced.

Survivors include  two daughters; Leslie Wayman, husband Tom, of Burlington, Iowa, Lindsey Pendry, husband John, of Lawrence, KS, a brother, Bernie Gilmer, of Indianapolis, IN, four grandchildren (Lauren Wayman, Brandon Wayman, Matthew Pendry, & Ryan Pendry) and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the Parkinson Disease Research Foundation or to the American Legion Club Room in Ellinwood, KS and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.

 

2 Condolences

  1. Don Learned on May 30, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Family of J.D.

    What a wonderful man, J.D. was. I got to know him quite well when he attended our First Baptist Church south of Ellinwood. He and I visited zbout the Wheat Bowl and his vision for it which happened for many years. He told me once that the once thing he missed about Chicago, were the many eating establishments. Other than these, he loved living in Ellinwood. He was well loved by the community and our church. He was very faithful in attending when he was well. He always wore a suit and was always so kind and polite. He enjoyed visiting with people. He had such high dignity in the way he acted and dressed. He loved the Wheat Bowl and this was one of the reasons it was successful those years. This was his vision of having this football game in his hometown and it happened. He was so proud each year for the teams, the athletes and the crowds.
    J.D. was just a wonderful friend and my wife and I are sorry we will miss the service. We will be in Dallas with our daughter and in Florida at a wedding at the time of the service. We know you are all so thanful for the 81 great years you had with J.D.
    Don Learned-Great Bend



  2. Holly Maygers on June 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Lindsey, John, Matthew, and Ryan,
    I’m so sorry for your loss and I pray that God will fill you all with peace beyond understanding during this time. I loved spending time with Mr. Gilmer the Summer that he was staying with you all and I was taking care of the boys. I loved seeing how happy he was when he was out on his walks around the neighborhood (even though it was usually so hot outside!). He really was a wonderful man and I am thankful that I was able to know him. Love, Holly



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