Memorials

In Memoriam

Gale Gilbert

We are saddened by the loss of our neighbor, Gale Gilbert. 

Gale Reed Gilbert (87) passed away peacefully from leukemia on September 2nd, 2024 at Roseleaf Gardens Memory Care. Gale was born January 20, 1937 in Bakersfield, CA, the oldest son of Woodrow and Zelma Gilbert, living in Imperial Valley for five years and then moving to Red Bluff in 1943. He attended Lassen View Elementary, Red Bluff High School and earned a BA in Public Administration from Chico State University. He served in the Navy from 1956-1960, where he was an electrician on the USS Norfolk. He worked at Ehorns Pharmacy and Diamond National before joining the California Highway Patrol in 1963, retiring after 34 years. He married Patsy McGarity in 1960, she passed away in 1992.

Gale was so proud of his sons Gale Jr and Gary and all their accomplishments, following them in their sports programs and participating in the exciting highlights of their lives and also the lives of his grandchildren. Norma was the angel he needed, bringing peace, love and kindness into his life, as only a daughter could do. He loved to travel to all parts of the world and enjoyed riding his motorcycle, which began as a CHP motor officer in Southern California. He had a great appreciation for music. Hymns, gospel, country and piano being the top of the list. He loved being outdoors scouting out and cutting down cedar trees for firewood, four wheeling, bike riding, snowmobiling, raking, shoveling, blowing snow and raking up every pine needle, and he truly loved hiking the trails of Lassen. He was especially proud of the home he planned and built in Mineral and the addition and garage he added to the Red Bluff house. He meticulously cared for both properties. Gale was a member of the BPO Elks Lodge #1250, member of the International Peace Officer Association, Board Member of the Tehama County Genealogical and Historical Society and Board Member of the Mineral County Water District.

Gale is survived by his wife of 31 years, Viola Fugal Gilbert, three children Gale (Kim) Gilbert Jr, Texas; Gary (Darla) Gilbert, Georgia; Norma (Larry) Greenblatt, Washington; step-daughters Jenny (Steve) Gray, Ashlie (Tony) Lawson, Jessica (Brad) Johnson, Allyson (Chris) Griffin; grandchildren: Garrett (Kylee) Gilbert, Griffin (Amy) Gilbert, Jake, Tucker and Gracyn Gilbert, Brandon (Cyndi) Ferchaud, Breana (JK) Filbert; great grandchildren: Grayson, Graham and Payton Gilbert, Rylee and Jack Filbert, Isabella Ferchard, and survived by his sister LaVonne Perkins (Arizona). He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Patsy McGarity and brother's Bud, Wayne and Philip and many wonderful friends. 

Find his obituary here:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/gale-gilbert-obituary?id=56208817 

Per his wishes, no funeral service will be held, but messages can be left on his obituary page.

Our love and support go out to Vi and his children.