Obituary for Jeffrey B. Gilmore
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”
Jeffrey Bernard Gilmore resided in Promedica Nursing Home Facility in Laureldale, Pennsylvania until January 19th, 2023 where he suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Reading Tower Health Hospital. He gave up the good fight after having many health challenges over the years on January 30th, 2023 in the Reading Tower Health Hospital. Jeffrey was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the sixth son of the late Milton and Lillian (Stewart) Gilmore of Reading, Pennsylvania.
Jeffrey was an outstanding athlete in all sporting events such as football, basketball, and track and field during his high school years. While in high school, many of his football teammates named him “Skinny” for being so slim and fit. He had great strength which afforded him the ability to achieve outstanding honors during his high school years. Jeffrey was as much an outstanding person of character as he was an athlete. He made three very special high school friends (Parker, Brenda, and Wilmon) who remained his close friends throughout all of Jeffrey’s life. Jeffrey graduated from Reading High School in 1971. He continued his education at Penn State Berks Campus for two years and transferred to California University of Pennsylvania for one year. He left California University of Pennsylvania to try out for the Washington Redskins football team now known as the Commanders. He helped every young man with their sports careers. Jeffrey was employed by UGI, Arrow International and Sweet Street Food Services. In 1973, Jeffrey enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving during the Vietnam era.
Jeffrey was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He studied with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and faithfully served Jehovah God’s Word by doing door to door service while he was physically able. Even when Jeffrey could no longer attend the Kingdom Hall, he would listen to the Jehovah Witnesses talk services by phone. Jeffrey’s favorite scripture was Isaiah 55:11. He never lost his zeal for sharing his faith with the many visitors that came to see him while in the nursing home or in the hospital. Jeffrey had a strong passion for playing the guitar and singing songs with his family. A very special song to Jeffrey’s heart was “God’s Promise of Paradise."
Loving deceased family members who preceded Jeffrey were his parents, Milton and Lillian, two sisters, Susan Gilmore Liggs (Reading), and Nellie Gilmore Singleton (Reading); three brothers: Joseph Gilmore (North Carolina), Leon Gilmore (Texas), and Danny Gilmore Sr. (Reading); one brother-in-law, Charles Liggs (Reading), and three sisters-in-law: Maxine Gilmore (North Carolina), Janice Gilmore (Tennessee), and Marilyn Gilmore (New Jersey).
Jeffrey leaves behind five dedicated and loving sisters: Dorothy (Willlie) Copeland, Diane Gilmore, Judy (Clarence) Nuss, Shirley Dabney – all of Reading Pennsylvania, and Joanne (Yusuf) Farrah of New Jersey. Jeffrey is also survived by three brothers: John (Patricia) Gilmore (Reading), Larry Gilmore (Tennessee), and Bruce Gilmore (New Jersey), a God Daughter Melissa Singleton (Reading), a God Son Stephen Skinner (Reading), and two sisters-in-law, Shirley Gilmore (Texas) and Jessica Gilmore (Reading), a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews in state and out of state – Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses brothers and sisters – Special lifelong friends: Parker George, Brenda George, Wilmon Giddens, John King, Rick Mountz, Frankie Molina, Donald Blair, and all who knew and loved him.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 10 to 11 a.m. with services to begin at 11 a.m. at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 436 South 7th Street, Reading, PA 19602 with Pastor Jerry Jones presiding. The interment at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Twp., PA will be on Tuesday, February 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to serve the Gilmore family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
It is so hard to say farewell for now, Jeffrey. Rest in heavenly peace.
Jeffrey Bernard Gilmore resided in Promedica Nursing Home Facility in Laureldale, Pennsylvania until January 19th, 2023 where he suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Reading Tower Health Hospital. He gave up the good fight after having many health challenges over the years on January 30th, 2023 in the Reading Tower Health Hospital. Jeffrey was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the sixth son of the late Milton and Lillian (Stewart) Gilmore of Reading, Pennsylvania.
Jeffrey was an outstanding athlete in all sporting events such as football, basketball, and track and field during his high school years. While in high school, many of his football teammates named him “Skinny” for being so slim and fit. He had great strength which afforded him the ability to achieve outstanding honors during his high school years. Jeffrey was as much an outstanding person of character as he was an athlete. He made three very special high school friends (Parker, Brenda, and Wilmon) who remained his close friends throughout all of Jeffrey’s life. Jeffrey graduated from Reading High School in 1971. He continued his education at Penn State Berks Campus for two years and transferred to California University of Pennsylvania for one year. He left California University of Pennsylvania to try out for the Washington Redskins football team now known as the Commanders. He helped every young man with their sports careers. Jeffrey was employed by UGI, Arrow International and Sweet Street Food Services. In 1973, Jeffrey enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving during the Vietnam era.
Jeffrey was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He studied with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and faithfully served Jehovah God’s Word by doing door to door service while he was physically able. Even when Jeffrey could no longer attend the Kingdom Hall, he would listen to the Jehovah Witnesses talk services by phone. Jeffrey’s favorite scripture was Isaiah 55:11. He never lost his zeal for sharing his faith with the many visitors that came to see him while in the nursing home or in the hospital. Jeffrey had a strong passion for playing the guitar and singing songs with his family. A very special song to Jeffrey’s heart was “God’s Promise of Paradise."
Loving deceased family members who preceded Jeffrey were his parents, Milton and Lillian, two sisters, Susan Gilmore Liggs (Reading), and Nellie Gilmore Singleton (Reading); three brothers: Joseph Gilmore (North Carolina), Leon Gilmore (Texas), and Danny Gilmore Sr. (Reading); one brother-in-law, Charles Liggs (Reading), and three sisters-in-law: Maxine Gilmore (North Carolina), Janice Gilmore (Tennessee), and Marilyn Gilmore (New Jersey).
Jeffrey leaves behind five dedicated and loving sisters: Dorothy (Willlie) Copeland, Diane Gilmore, Judy (Clarence) Nuss, Shirley Dabney – all of Reading Pennsylvania, and Joanne (Yusuf) Farrah of New Jersey. Jeffrey is also survived by three brothers: John (Patricia) Gilmore (Reading), Larry Gilmore (Tennessee), and Bruce Gilmore (New Jersey), a God Daughter Melissa Singleton (Reading), a God Son Stephen Skinner (Reading), and two sisters-in-law, Shirley Gilmore (Texas) and Jessica Gilmore (Reading), a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews in state and out of state – Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses brothers and sisters – Special lifelong friends: Parker George, Brenda George, Wilmon Giddens, John King, Rick Mountz, Frankie Molina, Donald Blair, and all who knew and loved him.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 10 to 11 a.m. with services to begin at 11 a.m. at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 436 South 7th Street, Reading, PA 19602 with Pastor Jerry Jones presiding. The interment at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Twp., PA will be on Tuesday, February 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to serve the Gilmore family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
It is so hard to say farewell for now, Jeffrey. Rest in heavenly peace.