Bradford Jackson Gilmore

Dr. Bradford Jackson Gilmore, of St. Paul, MN, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 27, 2025, at the age of 70. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 20, 1954, Brad was the third of four children. His family lived a short time in Columbus, then moved to Florissant, Missouri, and finally moved to Goshen, Indiana in 1968.
Brad met the love of his life, Carlyn, in 1972 when they were in high school. Their connection was immediate, and within a year, they were engaged. While Carlyn pursued a nursing degree at Hesston College in Kansas, Brad pursued his pre-med education at Goshen College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1977. They were married after they graduated that year and began a partnership rooted in love and respect. Over the next few years, they had four sons: Jeremy Benjamin Gilmore (b. 1978), Jonathan Levi Gilmore (b. 1980), Josiah Daniel Gilmore (birth/death in 1983 ), and Jesse Paul Gilmore (b. 1985). Brad cherished his role as a father, instilling in his sons the values of faith, resilience, and unconditional love.
Brad earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981 from Indiana University. They then moved to Minneapolis Minnesota where he finished his education at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1987 as a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist.
His medical career began in the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The majority of his work was with children with congenital and acquired immune deficiencies. He published his research in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, and made meaningful contributions to the lives of his patients.
Faith was the cornerstone of Brad's life. With the teachings of Jesus Christ as his foundation, he was an advocate of peace and justice. He particularly enjoyed the Sermon on the Mount, the Book of James, and Romans 12. As a member of Christ Church in Apple Valley, MN, he generously shared his medical expertise on mission trips, providing care to the sick in Costa Rica. He taught Sunday School at Firehouse Chapel in Minneapolis. In recent years, he continued his faith journey as a devoted member of Third Way Church in St. Paul, MN.
He found joy in spending time with his grandchildren, writing poetry and continuing his education at George Washington University in Public Health. In his final years, he wrote three books: "Wisdom For the Weeping Widow", "Love and Lust-Filled Lullabies", and "Victims, The Virus, and The Ventilator".
Brad was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Gilmore Main; his father, William Hastings Gilmore; his stepfather, Robert V. Main; his son, Josiah Daniel Gilmore; and his father in-law, Howard Irving Baldwin. Brad is survived by Carlyn Gilmore; their three sons, Jeremy Benjamin Gilmore (Jasmin), Jonathan Levi Heartwood (Leah), and Jesse Paul Gilmore (Kristina); his grandchildren, Kingston, Maverick, Lumen, Adeline, River, and Kaiya; his siblings, Judith Gilmore, Jennifer Albert, and Brent Gilmore (Mary). Brad also leaves behind extended family members, dear friends, and colleagues whose lives he touched deeply.
A celebration of Brad's life will be held at Washburn-McReavy Dawn Valley Funeral Chapel on Friday, February 7th with visitation at 10am and service at 11am. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the incredible care team at University of Minnesota Hospital & Episcopal Homes for their compassionate support.