Claude Wayne Gilbert

Visitation for Claude Wayne Gilbert, 84, of Tyler, will be held on Friday, October 16, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home, 206 West South Street in Lindale. Graveside services for Claude Wayne Gilbert will be held at 11:00 a.m.on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Sabine Cemetery in Lindale. Directions to the graveside can be found on the Caudle-Rutledge website. Following the service, family and friends will gather at the Swan - Wood Springs Methodist Church, 12005 US Highway 69 North, Tyler, 75701.Wayne went into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on October 14, 2015 at Hospice of East Texas after a hard fought battle with COPD. Wayne was born on March 28, 1931, in Lindale, Texas. He attended Lindale High School, where he met the love of his life, Christyne Marie Johnson. Feeling the call of duty for his country, he enlisted in the Navy to fight in the Korean War. Immediately prior to his deployment overseas, he married Christyne Marie on August 3, 1951 in San Diego, California. Their romance and loving marriage spanned 64 wonderful years filled with joy and adventure. Wayne deeply loved all of his family and extended family. His son Mark W Gilbert and two grandchildren, Hunter M Gilbert and Austin M Gilbert provided him so many blessings and indescribable pride and happiness. He also was blessed with incredible friends with whom he shared great times and adventures, many of whom he has now joined in Heaven for even greater times. Wayne was a compassionate and caring person with quick wit and the ability to tell awesome stories. He was an antique car enthusiast, an incredible handyman as well as a lover of animals and the disadvantaged. After being honorably discharged, Wayne and Chris settled in Tyler, Texas. He began a long career as an accountant with Texas Power and Light that spanned 37 years. Building on the foundation of faith instilled by his parents he began a long and blessed journey with the Swan-Wood Springs United Methodist Church where he served as Treasurer for many years. He also joined the St Johns Masonic Lodge of Tyler. He also began a long association with the Kiwanis Club in various cities in East Texas including Tyler where he served as President among other offices. He was also a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Etta Virginia Sitton Gilbert and Claude Ernest Gilbert. He is survived by his wife, Christyne of Tyler; brother Arthur Earl Gilbert and his wife, Glinda of Lindale; son Mark W Gilbert and his wife Lisa and grandsons Hunter M and Austin M Gilbert, all from Dallas; as well as many other extended family including nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who were touched by him during his time on Earth. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Gilbert, Eli Davis, Bill Kugle, Gary Morris, Steve Ables, Fred Grant, Freddie Wullschleger,Jeff Traywick, and Richard Riendeau . In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Swan - Wood Springs Methodist Church.

Claude Wayne Gilbert

March 28, 1931 - October 14, 2015