Jerry Allen Gilpin past from life to light November 5, 2022, at his home in Carthage MO, surrounded by family.
Jerry was born November 25th, 1937, in Great Bend Kansas. Son of Raymond Hugh and Clara Faye Goodwin Gilpin. Jerry grew up in rural Hays County Kansas where he went to Sellens Creek School first through the eighth grade. He then spent his ninth-grade year in Hoisington Kansas. He graduated from Great Bend Kansas High School in 1955 at the age of seventeen.
After graduation he attended Bradly University’s school of Horology and Jewelry making in Peoria Illinois. Following graduation, he procured a job at Meyerding Jewelry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Because of the Selective Service Draft, he and one of his High School friends, John Fish, joined the Army Security Agency together and served in Europe together. His Military service is possibly his proudest achievement.
Upon his return to Great Bend, he met and married his wife of almost sixty-two years Kathlene Moore. They married January 8th, 1961, and from this union two children were born Collette and Von.
Jerry and Kathlene had an exciting life in the Jewelry industry which took them from Dawson Jewelers Inc. in Great Bend Kansas to Reed and Elliott Jewelers in Manhattan Kansas, to Gerald’s Jewelers in Salina Kansas, to Stanly Jewelry in Emporia Kansas, then back to Gerald’s Jewelers Hutchinson store and Peacock’s in Hutchinson Kansas, Bartlesville, and Tulsa Oklahoma Service Merchandise in Tulsa, to Pfeiffer Jewelers in Parsons Kansas and Gilpin Daly Jewelers in Parsons Kansas. After Parsons Kansas, Jerry spent seven years as a traveling Jewelry Salesman living in Pittsburgh Kansas and then to their final home in Carthage Missouri where Kathlene still resides.
Jerry was an active member of the Rotary Club in Parsons KS, and Carthage where he served as the President in 1998. Jerry was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage MO. In addition, he served on the board of Carthage Historic Preservation where he served two terms as President.
In Carthage, Jerry enjoyed playing golf with his friends, especially Bonham Oney and Marty Lown. He also played in Carthage’s Tuesday night Men’s League.
While in Carthage, a friend encouraged him to become an insurance agent and a stockbroker. After passing the Series 7 exam, he worked for American Express in Joplin while continuing to work as a jeweler at night and weekends. After a short period of time with American Express, he realized his passion was jewelry and returned to it full time.
Jerry developed many friends through church, the business (Carthage Jeweler’s), Rotary Club, C.H.P. and Broadview Country Club. Anyone who knew him, would say Jerry was a people person. His greatest joy was his family and his dogs Copper who he often held while waiting on customers and Sophie who he would be seen walking on the square.
Jerry is survived by his wife Kathlene, Daughter Collette Ytell, Joplin Missouri, Son Von (Liz) Gilpin of Evanston Wyoming, grandchildren Chanel faucet of Tulsa Oklahoma, Chase Pitner (Laura) of Kansas City Missouri, Chandler Martin of Joplin Missouri, Jessica (Tad) Guild of Robertson Wyoming, and Dillion (Cassie) Gilpin of Roosevelt Utah, and great grandchildren Colten and Carson Faucett, and Mattie Moshier of Tulsa Oklahoma, Adelyn Pitner of Kansas City Missouri, Echo and Alexander Gordon of Joplin Missouri, Beckett and Lakelyn Guild of Robertson Wyoming, and Kaylle Gilpin of Roosevelt Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling James Dee Gilpin.
The family would like to thank Dr. Petry, nurse Cindy, and staff of Freeman Geriatric Clinic of Joplin MO. and his very special caregivers Travis and Tammy.
The family requests donations to the Carthage Humane Society.
Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church 820 Howard St. Carthage MO.
The visitation will be a reception in the Common Room following the Service, Military Honors, and Internment in the Columbarium. The reception will be provided by family and friends in honor of his great love of the many parties they hosted for Birthdays, Anniversary’s, Christmas Open Houses and especially the Salons.
