Frederick Eugene Gilmore

FREDERICK EUGENE GILMORE passed away on December 7, 2018, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 84. He lived there with his wife, Judy, and their dog, Sophie.

Fred was born July 24, 1934, in North English, Iowa, to George and Jeanette (Harrington) Gilmore. He attended North English High School, graduating in 1952, and the University of Iowa, graduating in 1957, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He was in ROTC and went on to serve in the Army. Fred was commissioned to Fort Belvoir, VA, to begin active duty. He later began his 32 year work career in Washington, DC, for the Federal Aviation Agency. He was the Director of Procurement and Acquisitions, and as his daughters would say, he retired with a really big corner office and three secretaries. He and his first wife Kit (Connie Grove) had two daughters, Kacie Linn and Jaime Lou.

For everyone who knew Fred, the thing he loved to do most was fix and build stuff. Whether it was building a bay window or screened in porch or finishing a basement, or building a boat or small remote controlled aircraft, Fred had the knowledge to tackle just about any project and do it well. In retirement he received his HVAC degree (which everyone who knew him knew he needed no official licensing) and began his official business, continuing just as he had as a young man helping his own father in his plumbing business.

A memorial service was held in Huntsville, AL, on January 19, 2019, at the Huntsville First United Methodist Church. There will also be a service in North English, IA, on July 29, 2019, at the North English Cemetery to bury his ashes. There will be a luncheon at the Knoll Ridge Country Club after the service. All are welcome to attend.

Fred is survived by his wife of 30 years, Judy; daughter, Kacie Linn Engle (Blair), of Charlottesville, VA; daughter, Jaime Lou Gilmore, of Fairfax, VA; and grandchildren, Jenna Engle & Brett Engle. He is survived by siblings Michelle Blaylock (Larry Pat), of Fairfax Station, VA; and Gelene Harris (John), of Muscatine, IA. Also surviving him are Judy's children who he had "adopted" and who adopted him: Debbie Gilbertson and her husband, Jim, and their children and grandchildren; Karen Harrington and her children and grandchildren; Mark Harrington and his wife, Mona, and their children and grandchildren; and Jane Harrington. He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Jeanette Gilmore.