John Irwin Gilbertson's Obituary
John I. Gilbertson passed away after a brief illness on December 26, 2009. He was retired since June 1986, having completed two successful careers. John was born to John H. and Millie J. Gilbertson on a farm in Hamlin County, SD, in 1921. He entered active military service through the ROTC program at South Dakota State University in 1943. He served primarily with the 83rd Infantry Division in Europe and was awarded the Bronze Star (twice), Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman's Badge, and survived all the five major European campaigns. Separated in 1946, he was recalled to active duty in 1950 and was retired as a Colonel in 1970. He was selected by Dean Witter as an account executive and retired from there in 1986. John enjoyed a detailed three-year tour of duty with the Army Security Agency serving on the staff of ASAPAC Headquarters in Tokyo from 1958 to 1960. Later, in 1962, he was privileged to be selected as the advisor to the Nation of Vietnam, specifically to the Vietnam National Intelligence School in Cholon. His service was recognized in a Letter of Commendation from General Thieu who later became President of South Vietnam. His last major assignment was as Commandant of the Fort Lewis School Command. As Commander of a provisional organization, he was responsible for all specialized training courses conducted during the Vietnam War period and graduated thousands of officers and soldiers from 1964 to 1969.
Mildred, his loving wife for 39 years, and his older brothers, Harvey and Lowell, preceded John in death. Survivors include stepson, Arthur Grammer and his wife, Marion; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Lois McPherson, of Little Rock, AR; and niece, Corrine Cooley, of Culver City, CA. With respect to family, John had a very close familial relationship with the following families: Robert and Julie Webb and children of Auburn; Ron and Linda Fite and children of Graham (daughter Kaye is a Goddaughter); Timothy and Regina Temple and family of Tacoma; Robert and Johanna Funk and family of Puyallup; Shannon Stonebridge and family of Tacoma; and cousins galore from California to Oslo, Norway.
During 1993 and 1994, in conjunction with an organization of family reunions, John researched and recorded the family history of both his maternal and paternal sides of his family. His recording of stories inspired other cousins to work on genealogy so that today the families in the United States as well as Norway have a reasonably accurate record of 1,400+ names from seven generations. John was Protestant and was a member of Bethany Open Bible Church. He believed in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior for all mankind, the coming King of Kings.
John has specifically requested that friends who traditionally send flowers would instead consider a tax deductible contribution to the Salvation Army or other charity of their choice. The needs of many are compelling and God's promise to the giver of gifts is dully recorded in Matt. 6:4.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 2, 2010 in the Mountain View Valley Chapel. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 584-0252. Please sign online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
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