John Alexander Gilbert, 81, of Orange, TX, passed away on November 11, 2017, at his home.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend John Fortenberry of Calvary Baptist Church in Deweyville and Reverend Harold Nazworth. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will precede the service, starting at 12:00 PM.

Born in Kirbyville, Texas, on August 12, 1936, he was the son of Charles Alexander Gilbert and Lena Mae Powell Gilbert. John honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a past business manager for Teamsters Local #920, was also a trustee for the Joint Council #58, and a member of the Madison Lodge 126 AF and AM. He was a past president of Deweyville Athletic Boosters Club, and was known as the neighborhood mechanic. His favorite place was Dunkin Donuts. John was a generous, caring, and giving man who took care of everyone before himself. He was an amazing father and grandfather who would give you the shirt off his back. Many people attribute their well-being to the graciousness of John. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Theron Matthew Gilbert; brother, Frank D. R. Gilbert; and sister, Juanita Stewart.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lavern Gilbert; sons, John Micah Gilbert and wife, Stephanie, and Stephen Blaine Gilbert and wife, Stefanie, both of Mauriceville, TX; grandchildren, Taylor Ray Gilbert, Jacie LaRay Gilbert, and Jadyn Rianne Gilbert; niece, Theresa Hardy and husband, Mark, and their son, Bradley, of Spurger, TX; nephews, John Robert Walker and his daughters, Sara Walker Mier and Amanda Walker, of Escondido, CA, Rex Walker and his sons, Kevin Walker and Brandon Walker, of Fort Worth, TX, and Timothy M. Gilbert of McAlester, OK; and numerous other family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be John M. Gilbert, Stephen Gilbert, Taylor Gilbert, Mark Hardy, John Robert Walker, and Robert Cole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The American Heart Association at PO Box 841125 Dallas, TX 75284-1125, or to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.