Obituary of John L. Gilson

John Leslie Gilson, 89, of Jamestown, NY passed away peacefully at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2013, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitiation Center. John spent most of his childhood years at the Gustavus Adolphus Children's Home in Jamestown (1933-1942) which is currently part of the Lutheran Campus. John attended Jamestown High School and the NYA at Barker High School in Barker, NY. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from June 16, 1943 to May 5, 1946 during World War II. He served as an Aviation Machinist 2nd Class at the U.S. Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA and also served in the U.S. Naval Reserves. John Attended the State of New York College for Teachers at Buffalo, NY where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree and later his Master of Science Degree, both with a major in Industrial Arts Education. He also received an Administrative Degree from St. Bonaventure University. Before his retirement, he was employed for 33 years by the Jamestown Public School System. He was a teacher of Industrial Arts at Jamestown High School for many years, and later became an Administrator in the school system. He was a long time active member of the First Lutheran Church where he serverd as Sunday School Superintendent for over 25 years and was an active church council member for several years, including service as President of the council. He was Past President of the Jamestown Optimist Club and active with the Jamestown Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a member the New York State Retired Teachers Association serving as President of the Southern Chautauqua County region. He was also a member of the Ingjald Lodge #65 Independent Order of the Vikings. John was a member of the first class to be inducted on the Wall of Fame at the GA Children's Home recognizing former residents for individual successes in their career, family and community. Surviving are his wife the former Janet Jones whom he married August 11, 1951, his three children and their spouses, Cynthia (Richard) Siegel of Bemus Point, NY, Susan (Daniel Thomas) Gilson of Silver Spring, MD, John (Florence) Gilson of Benbrook, TX, and six grandchildren Katharine (Joshua) Glenn, Elizabeth Thomas, Gilson Siegel, Benjamin Siegel, Patrick Thomas and Michael Thomas. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle, pastor and the Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, Chaplain of the Lutheran Home will offciate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Lutheran Social Service Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701.