WARSAW—Donald Martin Gilbert, 94, of Warsaw died on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on September 24, 1928, the son of Lucille and Leroy C. Gilbert. He survived his wife Jane Olin Gilbert with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.
He was predeceased by his sons, Bryan and Eric Gilbert.
He is survived by his oldest daughter, Ann Graziano and her husband, Frank, of Warsaw; and his youngest daughter, Francine Jones and her husband, Tom, of Kilmarnock; one son, Clark “Corky” Gilbert and his wife, Stephanie, of Winnebow, N.C.; his daughter-in-law, Kathy Gilbert; two grandchildren, Shannon Czajkowski of Charlotte, N.C., and John Gilbert of Hamstead, N.C.; and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Madolyn Gilbert of Hamstead, N.C.
Don received a B.S. in wood technology from Michigan State University. After serving in the Army from 1951 to 1952 as a first lieutenant, he made a career in manufacturing, working in the boating and housing industry. He was a pioneer in the modular home construction forming his own company Delmarva Housing Corporation in 1970. He subsequently worked with Ryan homes to develop their Modular Home division.
After his retirement, Don used his management expertise to volunteer for SCORE an all-volunteer organization made up of retired business people who help entrepreneurs start up their companies. He was an active volunteer for over 20 years.
Don had two main passions in his life, gardening and fishing. It was often said that he would fish in a mud puddle if he couldn’t find any other place to fish. He loved being outdoors and on the water with a fishing pole in his hand. He loved growing vegetables and his garden was always impeccable with no weeds and full of beautiful produce.
Services will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Richmond County Animal Shelter, c/o Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, 106 Wallace Street, Warsaw, VA 22572. To view his online tribute, please visit currie funeralhome.net.