Joseph L "Joe" Gilmer

Joseph "Joe" Lee Gilmer, 90, of Mary Esther, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026 surrounded by family. He was born on January 14, 1936, in Flat River, Missouri, to the late G. Tony and Bessie Goldie Gilmer.

Joe proudly served his country for 20 years, 13 days, and 8 seconds in the United States Air Force as a mechanic. His service included tours in New Mexico, Alaska, Kansas, Germany, France, England, Newfoundland, Thailand, Taiwan, and Northwest Florida. After retiring from the USAF, he continued to serve in Civil Service at NAS Pensacola.

Joe was known for his love of life, which he expressed through golf, bass fishing anywhere he could, including his summer house in Aurora, Kentucky, and most of all, laughing and telling stories while spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From a young age, Joe dreamed of leaving the cold of Missouri for the warmth of Florida, a dream he fulfilled by spending nearly half his life as a resident of Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Shirley Darlene Gilmer of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; his daughter Kimberly Jo Brasfield and son-in-law Andy Brasfield of Newbern, Tennessee; his parents, G. Tony and Bessie Goldie Gilmer; and his siblings, brothers Tony, Billy, and Paul Gilmer, and sisters Betty Edgar and Ella Marshall.

Joe is survived by his loving daughter, Terri Hudgens (Bob) of Mary Esther, Florida; grandchildren, Luke Hudgens (Ashley) of Florala, Alabama, Brooks Brasfield (Morgan) of Nashville, Tennessee, Steve Hudgens (Haleigh) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Grace Hudgens (Javier) of Franklin, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Henry Fuller, Mia Hudgens, Lenora Brasfield, Reese Hudgens, and Asher Miroquesada. He is also survived by his companion and partner in his final years, Nell Poston of Mary Esther, Florida, and sister-in-law Rhonda Casteel (John) of Rockfield, Kentucky, along with nieces and nephews across the country.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate team at Peoples Hospice and Palliative Care of Florida for the exceptional comfort and thoughtful care they provided to Joe in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Peoples Foundation of Northwest Florida https://choosepeoples.com/foundation/

Family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, Saturday February 7, 2026 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Services will follow the gathering at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. A private family committal service will be Monday February 6, 2026 at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL.