JEFFERSON - Frank Clay Gilbert, 71, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
He was born on August 6, 1937, in Jackson County, a son to the late Farris and Annie Sue Smallwood Gilbert.
Mr. Gilbert was a retired Regional Sales Manager with Carhartt Manufacturing and a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a Gideon, the first Eagle Scout of Jefferson Boy Scout Troop 158 in 1953, a Boy Scout District Commander, a scout leader in Winder for a number of years, was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, one of Boy Scouting's highest honors, and was part of the original crew that worked to build Camp Rainey Mountain Scout Camp near Clayton in 1954.
He was also a Little league Coach and Midget Football Coach.
Mr. Gilbert was a history enthusiast, especially regarding the Revolutionary War and Civil War periods. He often spoke to school groups and other organizations about those eras and would sometimes wear period attire when speaking to groups to show how soldiers had dressed and lived.
Survivors include wife, Joyce Duke Gilbert, Jefferson; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Becky Gilbert, Athens (South Jackson), daughter and son-in-law, Karyn and Keith Wilburn, Jefferson; grandsons, Shane and Brannan Wilburn and Brantley and Kolby Gilbert.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Jefferson with Minister Tom Plank, the Rev. Hillier Duke and the Rev. Michael Helms officiating.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, June 24, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549, or The Gideons International, Jackson West Camp, P.O. Box 755, Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
