Zilmon (Sonny) Gilmore

   Sonny Gilmore passed away on January 21, 2025, in Gatesville, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at Scott’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Turnersville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24 at the funeral home.

   Zilmon (Sonny) Gilmore was born on March 1, 1933, in Turnersville, Texas to Zilmon (Zoo) and Ora Dollins Gilmore. He spent his childhood in Turnersville and became a cook in the Navy at the age of seventeen. Sonny never learned to cook a small meal after serving so many sailors in his early years. But this just meant more for his family and friends. As a young man, Sonny drove a truck, hauling cotton and grain, then moved to the Houston area where he worked as a general foreman over maintenance at Cameron Iron Works. After he retired, he came back to Turnersville, did some farming and ranching with his father, and worked various jobs in maintenance. He was a dedicated member of the Turnersville community, devoted to preserving its monuments and history. He was a member of the Turnersville Cemetery Association, Gatesville Masonic Lodge, and the Turnersville Baptist Church.

   Sonny married Nancy Ruth on March 13, 1992. They were married for almost 33 years, and she was by his side when he passed. He spent the last 30 years of his life working on Deep Creek Ranch, retiring for the final time in July of 2024 at the age of 91. He was very proud of his work on that ranch, but Sonny was most proud of his family and his relationship with the Lord. God changed his life forever, and from that moment forward, he dedicated his life to Him, taking mission trips to Mexico and faithfully serving where he saw a need.

   He is preceded in death by his parents and sons, Rick and Jim. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Gail and Kris; son, Don and wife, Courtney; stepdaughters Sarah and Rebekah; grandchildren Kelly, Chris, Mikel, Elizabeth, Hayden, Thomas, Erica and husband, Robert; great-grandchildren Trenton, Kyra, Jackson, and Hanna; great-great-granddaughter Stevie Lu.

   Sonny touched many lives here on this earth and we know he is now in the Presence of his Lord and Savior. We will miss him greatly.