John R. Gilbert II

Coach Gilbert I will always be grateful for teaching me how to pitch and hit. Your confidence in my ability allowed me to throw a no-hitter in my very first start...Robert was catching. I still cherished the game ball you presented me with your signature...Valley-Hi Little league, 1966, Yankees vs Mets 4-0. A perfect start thanks to a perfect coach. God bless you and your family. Rest in peace.

The Gilbert family were our neighbors in Valley Hi. We have very fond memories growing up through our school years. Street Baseball and football was how we passed our time. Great friends. We fondly called John (Mr. Christmas) cause there isn't anyone who did their yard like John! His wife Anita was a very sweet lady! The Dancer family sends their deepest condolences to the family. May peace be with you all.

John and I first met when he was umpiring my high school baseball game in 1967. He was behind the plate and I was catching. Since then I bought clothes from him at Satel's and also had the pleasure of him working with me at my baseball camps for 12 years. He was one of a kind and a great baseball instructor. He knew baseball inside and out and was fun to be around. The kids hated him on Monday but loved him by Saturday. John was a great person and really left his mark in the San Antonio...

Coach Gilbert was one of the most influential men in my baseball journey....along with men like my dad and Coach Zamora. He coached me at a formative time (7th-9th grade) when I was trying to figure out how to move from little league to high school baseball. Part of that time, my dad was serving in Thailand, so Coach's support was important. He had some kind of relationship with the Dodgers, so he would drive me to Houston to watch games when the Dodgers were in town. In one of my recent...

Coach Gilbert taught my son Justin baseball beginning when he was a young boy. We had an opportunity to visit with him at his home back in May. Coach you will truly be missed.

I met John playing and managing in the Northwest baseball league. He was Manager of the "Southwest Dodgers". I was with the Fina Phillies. He was "Mr. Dodger Baseball". He was a wonderful, and kind gentleman who was a big part of my baseball life. A lot of stories and memories shared. My condolences to all the Gilbert Family on the passing of John. Bill Keiffer