| Graduation Year | Class of 1969 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 22, 2014 |
| About | James Michael Gilbert. The heart and soul of a servant. James Michael, or as everyone called him, Mike, demonstrated by his life what it means to be a servant. He served his country, his community, his family and his life touched most everyone he came in contact with. Mike, born in Covington, KY on January 16th, 1951. The third of four sons and one daughter born to Donald and Minnie Lou Gilbert. Mike left this earth and entered into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior on February 22, 2014. Mike is survived by his mother, Minnie Lou, a sister Mary Jane Schopp, brothers Paul Benjamin and Dave, two sons Joshua Ryan, and Alexander Michael, daughter-in-law Sarah and one precious granddaughter Ava Marlene. Mike’s father and one brother, Daniel Joseph preceded him and welcomed him into heaven on Saturday February 22, 2014 Mike spent his life serving others. A quiet man, a loving son and father and brother. Mike graduated from Erlanger Lloyd High School with the class of 1969. He served his county by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on March 5, 1971. He achieved the rank of Sergeant while serving at air bases in Sacramento, CA, Pensacola, FL and Guam. Even up to the day before he graduated into Glory he remembered the tail numbers of aircraft he had worked on repairing electronics. Mike served his community as a member of the Erlanger, KY Police Department. He served his family by working and making sacrifices to give his two sons all that he possibly provide. He served his Lord as best he could even when life was at its most difficult by being a witness to others as to where he was going when he left this world and asking others where they were going to spend eternity. Mike was quick witted and loved a good joke. Mike suffered a massive stroke in December of 2007 which left him unable to do anything physical but he never lost his sense of humor and concern for others. Even the day before he passed into God’s presence he was concerned about the wellbeing of his nephews. Mike spent the last five years of his life in a nursing home in Anderson Township, Ohio. While Mike was there he brought many smiles to the staff and other residents. His absence from his friends and family causes much sadness but we also rejoice because we know Mike is no longer bound to the limits of a hospital bed or wheelchair. We know he is walking (if not running) through the streets of gold. What joy to know that we heard the Lord say to Mike this morning, “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Welcome home!” |
