Gary Rowland Gilmer

Gary "Grape" Gilmer, 80, of Fayetteville, died Sunday, March 3, 2019.

Gary was born in Hardin, MT, to George Gilmer and Mildred Vickers Gilmer, on Feb 2, 1939. He joined the USMC in San Diego in 1957. After serving 3 years, he got out and a few weeks later he joined the Army in 1960. He was stationed to Kirch-Göns, Germany in 1961 as a tanker with the 33rd Armor Do. 32t5 He met the love of his life, Lilli Petersen, while on leave, in Copenhagen,  Denmark. They married in Tooele, UT, Sep 27, 1963. 

In 1964 he was stationed to Ft. Bragg, NC. He spent most of his time in 5th Group and 7th Group, with time in 6th Group and four years in Wildflecken, Germany as First Sergeant of HHC 54th ENG. He was awarded many medals during his 3 tours in Vietnam including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, Legion of Merit and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.  
Before retiring, he was the ROTC instructor at Washington and Lee University. He retired from the Army while in 5th Group in 1986 as rank of SGM. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his daughter-in-law, Pam Tornblom.

Gary is survived by sisters, Terri Phillips and Janna Lukanuski; son, Gene Gilmer; daughter, Lorraine Gilmer, son-in-law, Frankie Higby; grandson, Gary Fernandez; granddaughter, Jessica Beske Crockett and husband, Jonathen Crockett; and great-granddaughter, Lyndsey Jones.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 6pm to 7:30pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.  A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 9th 2019 at 2pm in Jernigan-Warren Chapel with Full Military Honors to follow.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America at  https://www.pva.org/ or the Humane Society at https://www.humanesociety.org/

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301

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