SWAINSBORO, Ga. - Peebles-Curry-Durden Mortuary announces the death of James Richard "Ricky" Gilmer, age 48, of Swainsboro, GA on Friday, May 19, 2006, at the Emanuel Medical Center after a brief illness. Funeral services will be Sunday, May 21st, at 3 PM, in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Wayne DeFore and Rev. Nita Crump-Howard officiating. Interment will be in the Swainsboro City Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers are Ray Woods, Charlie Schwabe, Smith Edenfield, David Kettles, Greg Johnson, Eddie Jordan, Marion Shaw and Perry Bishop. Honorary Pallbearers are GA Farm Bureau Employees, members of the Swainsboro Exchange Club and ballplayers coached through the years by Mr. Gilmer. The family will receive friends at Peebles-Curry-Durden Mortuary Saturday evening from 6 - 8 PM. A native of Emanuel County, Mr. Gilmer was a graduate of Swainsboro High School, Emanuel County Junior College and the University of GA where he was a member of the SIGMA PHI EPSILON Fraternity. He had been employed by Georgia Farm Bureau since 1981 and was Senior Claims Adjuster. A member of the First United Methodist Church, he had served on the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees. Mr. Gilmer was past president and board member of the Swainsboro Exchange Club and Swainsboro Golf and Country Club and was past board member and coach with Swainsboro Dixie Youth League. He held deep love for all children and children's athletics. He had served as a volunteer baseball and soccer coach since 1987. He was preceded in death by his father, Dick Gilmer. Survivors include, his wife, Elizabeth West Gilmer of Swainsboro, GA; two sons, Jim Willis and Richard Gilmer of Swainsboro, GA and his mother, Mary S. Gilmer of Swainsboro, GA. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Swainsboro or the Emanuel County Schools Foundation. Peebles-Curry-Durden Mortuary is in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Ricky Gilmer of Swainsboro, GA. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com