Obituary for Louis Gildea

Louis Alcott Gildea

(May 28, 1930 – September 24, 2017)

Louis A. Gildea of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Sunday morning, September 24, 2017, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home at the age of 87 years.

Louis Alcott Gildea was born on May 28, 1930, in Denver, Colorado, to James I. and Helen (Manley) Gildea. As a child he moved with his family to Oklahoma City and then to Enid where he attended Enid Public Schools. He graduated from Enid High School in 1948. He furthered his education at Phillips University in Enid for a short time. Following college he married Elma Lee Quigley on April 15, 1950, and he owned a Texaco filling station. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he then started his own business, Auto Beauty Products. In the 1970’s he turned to the family trade of stone engraving and monument lettering. He later married Joyce Gosnell on February 18, 1978, in Oklahoma City and they made Blackwell their home. He worked in many cemeteries in Oklahoma and southern Kansas until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of First Christian Church in Blackwell. He enjoyed playing golf, pool, and various card games. He also enjoyed fishing, dancing and working crossword puzzles.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Gildea of Blackwell; three daughters, Darcy Gildea of Columbia Falls, Montana, Nancy Scott of Plano, Texas, and Kim Rand of Tonkawa; two sons, Ted Louis Gildea of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Greg Rand of Ponca City; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Bert Gildea.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 28th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with James W. Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Blackwell Golf Course in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.