GILKERSON, Ralph Edwin 9/24/1928 – 8/21/2017 Ralph Edwin Gilkerson passed away in Tucson at 88. Born to Ralph Edwin Gilkerson, Sr. and Gladys Riddle in Minneapolis, he grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, then served in the US Army. After graduating from UCLA and the UA, Ralph enjoyed a long career as a teacher and guidance counselor in TUSD. An avid tennis player, he also enjoyed travel, jazz, and hiking. His generosity, humor, and kindness will be greatly missed by family and friends. Preceded in death by his second wife, Barbara "Bobbie"; first wife, Talitha Stokes and son, Glen Gilkerson. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Ann Gilkerson; son, Alex Gilkerson; stepdaughter, Jo Ellen Cockley (Jon Payne); stepson, Drew Cockley and grandchildren, Leandra, Nick, Jenna and Katie. Junior scholarship donations welcomed to Reffkin Tennis Center. Please join us for a Celebration of Ralph's life on Saturday, September 23, 2017, 4:00 p.m., at the San Pedro Chapel, 5230 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Sep. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Ralph GILKERSON

2 Entries

Dawn Knobloch

September 22, 2017

Ralph Gilkerson, known affectionately as Mr. G. to his students, taught more than textbooks had to offer. Mr. G's classroom was a working model of dare I say inclusion long before that word became a hot topic among educators, narrowing its scope now to a fightin' word in a long list of educational demands. Inclusion to Mr. G was as natural as sunshine. He loved and respected all his students. In return, we learned love and respect for him, for each other and, most importantly of all, for ourselves. Students whose previous classroom experience had taught them they were somehow undeserving or not ready to be accepted, suddenly found a hand coaxing them out of the shadows.
I was a student, reading at a level so low in 4th grade that I stayed after school every day to work with a teacher/angel Mrs. Coffey, learning words like cat and ball. I entered sixth grade with low self-esteem and even lower expectations that anything was likely to change ever. It was bewildering to me, then, that Mr. G treated me as part of the group. His approach was soft, yet bold at the same time a lot like the brown Hush Puppy shoes he wore to school a soft tread on a hard floor.
Everything about him defied my expectations of school. My teacher treated me like I was smart, he recommended me to become part of the elite playground/crosswalk safety patrol (an honor that came with a badge affixed to a vinyl sash, which produced the magical swagger I'd admired from the bottom of the pecking order in previous years), he placed me in the accelerated reading group and created an environment where I could learn math (my most feared subject, one that triggered such rage in my 4th grade teacher that she yanked me from my seat, shook me by the shoulders and screeched What's wrong with you?!). Not only had I encountered the wonder of being accepted by a teacher, but I suddenly found myself accepted by my peers (invited to a birthday party for the first time in my life that year).
The tale of my 6th grade experience was all told at the end of the year, when Mr. G devised an in-class elementary school graduation celebration. We voted on class favorites funniest, friendliest, best artist, etc. Then, the last category of "most improved" opened for nominations. In my heart, I knew Mr. G had created that slot just for me, but I never expected the response it produced from my classmates. Directly across the aisle, Anna-Beth Stephens' hand shot up. She enthusiastically nominated me, then looked my way and added an accolade that only a sixth-grader would find appropriate: No offense, Dawn, but you used to be dumb. I won that award as the sole nominee. It was the first of many academic honors to come in following years.
My life has been enriched by many people, but none so profoundly as Mr. G. He opened the garden gate that led directly to sunshine for me. I've shared his story with my children, my own students and, now, with my grandchildren. Any of us lucky enough to have known him are blessed indeed!
Dawn (Beavers) Knobloch
Peter E. Howell Elementary 6th grade class 1965-1966

September 11, 2017

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray in the midst of your sorrow you find comfort in all
the joyful memories shared and will always cherish these beautiful memories . Romans 15:13 -

D. Wilmington-California

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