SFC Allan E. Gilmore, Ret., 93, of Kittanning Hollow Rd., East Brady, a decorated United States Army veteran, received his final orders from the Lord to report home early Tuesday morning, July 11, 2023, at Armstrong Co. Memorial Hospital while in the company of his loving family.
Allan was born at the family farm in Tylersburg, Clarion Co. on January 27, 1930. He was the son of the late Robert Staley and Pearl Beers Gilmore.
As a youth, Allan attended school near Tylersburg and received his G.E.D. while serving in the U.S. Army. Mr. Gilmore had a distinguished military career spanning 22 years. He spent most of his time serving in U.S. Army intelligence, first in U.S. Embassies around the world, also serving in Korea, during the Cold War, and in Vietnam. In Vietnam, Allan served with the 509th Radio Research Group under the command of Col. J. J. McFadden. He served with the 2nd Signal Corp in the ASA, the NSA and the CIA. Mr. Gilmore was an expert on Asian intelligence and spoke five languages. He had earned the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. He served in Saigon during the Tet Offensive and was proud of receiving a field commission from a commander who was Jim Thorpe’s son. Allan was the recipient of a bronze star, an army commendation medal, an army good conduct medal, an army of occupation medal, a national defense service medal, a Korean service medal, a Vietnam service ribbon, a UN Korean service ribbon, and a Republic of Vietnam campaign medal. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1969 following 22 years of distinguished service to his country. Allan was a patriot and a proud American and took great pride in reminding others that America was the greatest country in the world. He was a founding member of the Brady’s Bend American Legion Bishop Madden Post #488. He also belonged to the VFW Post in Parker and Rimersburg and The Hilltop Beagle Club. Following his military retirement, he was first employed by Gravely Tractor and later by the PA Liquor Control Board and was a manager at liquor stores in both Parker and East Brady. He also owned his own small engine repair shop in Kittanning Hollow. He enjoyed the company of his dog, “Carter/Bubba” and his cat, “Rigby/Shadow.” He was affectionately “Pappy” to his grandkids, whom he loved to take on tractor rides.
Mr. Gilmore was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley L. Reitz Gilmore, whom he married on June 18, 1955. She was a loving and supportive Army wife. Mrs. Gilmore passed away on October 8, 2018.
Surviving are four children, Kim Patsy and her husband, Dave, of East Brady, Kay Griffiths and her husband, Willis, of Chicora, and Ray “Ike” Gilmore of East Brady and Robert Pestle and his wife, Christine, of Georgia; seven grandchildren, Cara Patsy of Youngstown, OH, Brady Patsy and his wife, Mandie, of Pittsburgh, Haley Patsy (Josh Frederick) of Pittsburgh, Heather Smith and her husband, Jason, of Worthington, Bradley Griffiths of Chicora, Bryce Gilmore and his wife, Megan, of Butler, and Kylee Bell and her husband, Shayne, of Petrolia; eight great-grandchildren, Caroline Patsy, Kaiden Powers (Chelsey), Cambree Powers (Ryan), Zachery Gilmore, Zander Gilmore, Myles Bell, Cecelia Patsy, and Jaxson Smith; Allan was looking forward to the birth of another grandchild and great-great-grandson soon. Also surviving are a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters, a niece, two nephews, and a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Allan always said, “When I die, please tell people, a patriot died today, and have them explain to their children what patriotism is all about.”
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main St., Karns City, from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and from Noon – 1 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023. A funeral service will follow from the funeral home at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Pete Sapp and the Rev. Michael Harvey, officiating. Interment will be beside his wife at Oak Grove Cemetery, Sugarcreek Twp., Armstrong Co. Members of the Brady’s Bend and Chicora American Legion Posts will accord military honors at the cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.
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