NATCHITOCHES, LA
Feb. 13, 1948-Jan. 2, 2021
Gary Gene Kilgore, 72, passed away peacefully after a very lengthy illness. A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with the Rev. Derek Ducote officiating. Burial will follow at Ajax Cemetery in Ajax with Bro. Glenn Howard officiating.
Gary was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jeannie Lynn Kilgore; his twin brother, Terry Glenn Kilgore Sr.; father, Charles Bascomb Kilgore Jr.; and brother-in-law, James “Jim” Leslie.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Frances Walmsley Kilgore (the love of his life); daughter, Michelle Kilgore Sandifer and husband Robin of Tucson, Ariz.; step daughter, Danielle Digilormo and husband of Killeen, Texas; mother, Gertie Birdwell Kilgore; sister, Marylu Kilgore Byles and husband Ronnie; sister, Peggy Kilgore Leslie; grandchildren, Sydney Sandifer, Kate Sandifer and Chad Sandifer; special aunt, Maebell Brown; special cousin (cuz), Linda Sue Brown Ingram; nephews, Terry G. Kilgore Jr. and wife Amy, Mark Kilgore and wife Julie, Ron Byles and wife Lacy; niece, Kasey Byles Cain; and numerous great nieces and great nephews.
Gary was a hard worker his whole life until he retired from Willamette/Weyerhauser in 2010. After retirement, he kept a pristine garden at his mother-in-law’s “Mama LaLa” home; he dearly loved her. He worked tirelessly in the garden until besieged with health issues that made his travels limited to doctor appointments and hospital stays. The love of his life, Frances, always put him first. She steadfastly attended to his every need. She made sure he received what he needed and wanted. He was always grateful and appreciative of her devotion towards him.
Gary will live on through his daughter and his two granddaughters, Sydney and Kate. He thrived on his daily “town talk” with Michelle and reveled in the latest adventure or misadventure with two girls and their dog, Max. Not a traveler himself, Gary would live through his daughter’s family as they galloped all over the globe and would bring back fabulous stories and even acquired a cuckoo clock that he loved hearing every hour. Gary will be remembered as a resolute, some would say stubborn, man but he was always quick witted and could deliver a joke or funny name at any given opportunity. Most of all, Gary will be known for his fierce love of family.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for the care and compassion given to Gary, with a special thanks to Dr. Robert Hernandez, Dr. Marwan Kaskas and nurses Yona DeCosta and Dana Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Errington Parks, Steve Bamburg, Tommy Birdwell, Mark Kilgore, Dennis Coleman and Chad Taylor.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Byles, Ray Lindsey, Don McComick, James McDuff, Randy Mitchum, Jack Parker, Robin Sandifer, Arden Settle, Stanley Walker and John Withers.
