John R. Gilbert II

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Castle Ridge Mortuary - West Military Dr.

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John Gilbert Obituary

Name: Visitation for John R. Gilbert II
Start: 2020-08-24T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-08-25T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Castle Ridge Mortuary - West Military Dr.

"Coach" John R. Gilbert, II, better known as "Mr. Baseball", went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by "Assistant Coach" his loving wife, Anita D. Gilbert; son, John R. Gilbert, Jr. Coach is survived by his children, Anna Marie Shotwell, Judy M. Clary, Debra D. Gilbert and Robert W. Gilbert; a gracious friend in his later years, Mary Jane Hernandez; also, 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 24,2020 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Castle Ridge Mortuary. Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the Castle Ridge Mortuary from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Military Honors.

**Due to COVID-19 Regulations and Limitations, masks will be required, services are private and for immediate family members only. **

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Express-News on Aug. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Gilbert

Sponsored by Castle Ridge Mortuary - West Military Dr..

6 Entries

Bill Woodie

October 15, 2020

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.

Cheryl Marcom

August 27, 2020

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.

HOWARD DUCKWORTH

August 24, 2020

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 baseball world and will be missed deeply. My condolences to his family. Best regards, Howard Duckworth

Kenny Baldwin

August 24, 2020

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 chats with him, we recalled how he would always stop and buy us lunch in Schulenberg @ Frank's. It was always a highlight for me. I still remember the moment he told me I was going to be a starter on varsity when I was a sophomore.

I had crossed paths with him at a basketball game at the Convention Center arena (he had some kind of job there) and he asked me if I would be trying out. I tried to show confidence, but he knew I needed some encouragement. He said, 'You will start at second base', and that was that. To receive that message from him after many years and practices where we would only seem to be demanding, meant a lot for me. He couldn't have known....I hadn't even tried out and he had zero connections with our program. It was almost unheard of at South San and I was not the least bit confident....but he was certain. He was right!

He was special for many reasons, but what impressed me the most was his brilliant mind for baseball. He shared his love and knowledge everywhere he went. I don't have the details, but a few years back I called to check in with him, and he and Mrs. Gilbert had just returned from being honored for his role in introducing baseball in Korea. The government flew them over and wined and dined them for something he had done 40+ years before.

He will be buried in Fort Sam cemetery, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone doesn't propose we have a later celebration and bury something of his at Wolf Stadium. He had keys to the place and met people there to give lessons at his convenience. Before my son (Hunter) headed off to play ball in college, Coach met him in the tunnel there and gave him a lesson, sharing some of the same wisdom i had heard over the years....it was a special time for me. He has had an assigned reserved seat there for many years....Gilbert's seat. He was giving lessons there only recently....baseball until the end. I think about him all the time when I talk to the boys we minister to at SpringSpirit...everyone needs someone like Coach in their lives. I am so blessed to have shared a slice of life with him.

I offer my condolences and prayers to his family, including Mary Jane. I hope you find peace and comfort in knowing he is with his Father in heaven, along with Mrs. Gilbert and John.
KB

Pat Gobar

August 23, 2020

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.

Bill Keiffer

August 23, 2020

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

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