James D. Gilbert went home to be with our Lord Friday, January 16, 2026. James was born on May 16, 1947 and raised in Durand Michigan. Born into a farming family, his favorite childhood memory was playing in the barn and stealing cucumbers out of his mom's garden.

Shortly after high school, he was drafted in the US Army and served honorably for two years including a one year deployment to Vietnam. After discharge from the Army, he worked briefly for General Motors until he moved to Arizona and married his beloved wife of 55 years, Elizabeth.

He worked in various jobs including sales and eventually retired as a truck driver. Jim could sell anything and was once recognized as a million-dollar sales representative. 

His joy was seeing his grandchildren come around and play. He also appreciated traveling and camping in the motor home all over the western half of the US. He was also a member of Calvary Community Church Phoenix attending occasionally in his later years.

James is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Dawn McMichael and her significant other Sergio Carrillo, son Wayne Gilbert and his wife Janice, grandchildren Tia and Dan, Elizabeth and Kyle, Jessica and Paul, Eric, and Travis and Miriam, along with nine great-grandchildren. He also has three surviving siblings, Tom, Janice, and Tammy. James is preceded in death by his father and mother, Wayne and Margueritte, and one brother Jerry.