Donald Lee

Gilbert

Devoted husband and father, Donald Lee Gilbert, age 70, left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on March 15, 2025.  He was a resident of Wichita Falls for 42 years. After a 20 year battle with Parkinson's Disease, Don died a dignified and peaceful death at home, thanks to the wonderful care of his Hospice team.

Don was born in Dallas, Texas to Jeff Herndon and Mary Agnes Gilbert, on August 13, 1954, the second of eight children. The family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where he spent his youth, living a boy's life with his brothers, bike riding, fishing, swimming, and testing fate with questionable antics. He survived to graduate from Hot Springs High School in 1972 and attended several colleges before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family.

Don followed his older brother, Jack, to Austin, Texas in1976.  He worked at the IRS center as a tax examiner. He met his future wife, Cynthia Lucile Breegle, among the tax returns and microfiche records at work. They married on June 8, 1980 in Wichita Falls. In 1983, they welcomed their first child, Kathryn, at a home birth, and shortly after, moved from Austin to Wichita Falls to raise their new family and help care for Cindy's mother.  Don began working for his father-in-law at the Breegle Building Products warehouse in 1981. He drove the company truck weekly to pick up orders in Dallas, which led him to a driver position at UPS. For almost 25 years, Don wore the familiar UPS "browns" which Cindy says matched his beautiful brown eyes.  Don was a dependable and hard worker, but he was forced to retire early due to his Parkinson's Disease diagnosis.

Don was warmly welcomed into the Grace Church family in Wichita Falls, where his wife had attended since she was 6 years old. He was privileged to sit under the teachings of Tom Rogers and Reggie Coe, and many other Godly men who helped deepen his faith in Christ.  He and Cindy were active in AWANAS program for kids, and he helped Cindy teach 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School for many years. One of his favorite Bible verses was Phillipians 4:6.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." In his latter years, he and Cindy took comfort in II Corinthians 4:16.  "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Don's language of love was "Doing for others". His love for Cindy shown brightly by his willingness to attack any project Cindy deemed necessary for their family. They shared a busy homelife and he treasured spending time with their 5 children, Kathryn Grace, Corie Marie, Gregory Galen, Emma Christine and Madison Leigh. A doting father, he loved to read to his kids, participated in many home school projects, and attended all their sports and music events. Don especially enjoyed their family vacations to the beach or mountains, camping and fishing, and was the consummate camp chef. He loved cooking for family and friends, and was a master griller, best known for his steaks and blackened salmon, which were better than any restaurants' offerings.

Don adored his in-laws, Mel and June Breegle, who treated him like a son and accepted him into the Breegle clan as did his new sisters and brothers in-law.  One of his favorite pastimes was playing bridge with Mel and June, or with his brother, Jack, and his wife, Paula. Even in his failing health, he especially loved holding his grandbabies as he sat in his recliner.  Their hugs and kisses always brought a smile to his face.

Don was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Kay Brown, his father, Jeff Gilbert, his niece, Christin Gilbert, his mother-in-law, June Breegle, his father-in-law, Mel Breegle, his sister-in-law, Jennifer Gilbert, his sister-in-law, JoAnn Chitwood, and his mother, Mary Agnes, who passed only a month prior to Don's death.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Cindy.  He is survived by his five children, Kathryn Rogers (husband Daniel), Corie Campbell, Greg Gilbert, Emma Gilbert, and Madison Gilbert (husband Cheston Channell), and by his three grandchildren, Eddison Channell, Carter Campbell and Cooper Campbell. His surviving siblings are Jack Gilbert (wife Paula), Carl Gilbert (wife Judy), Gary Gilbert (wife Nancy),  Ruth Ann "Sunny" Wilson (husband Harold), Rose Poitras (husband Scott), and Michael Gilbert (wife Monica). He is also survived by 27 nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held in the chapel of Grace Church, located at 5214 Stonelake Drive, Wichita Falls, TX on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  A memorial will be held at the same location on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls or Grace Church.