Obituary for Clay W. Gilbert
Dr. Clay Gilbert died on Friday, February 5, 2021 at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Irving, Texas, leaving behind an amazing life story that will forever remain within the heart of Irving and its residents. Clay Wayne Gilbert was born in Methodist Hospital, Dallas, Texas, exactly at midnight to Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert and Dorothy (Brandon) Gilbert. Due to the timing of his birth, his birthday could have been either May 7th or May 8th, but his parents chose May 8th, 1933 as his official date of birth. Clay had a wonderful childhood, as Irving was a very small town of perhaps 700 to 800 residents. Everyone knew him, his Mother, Dad, and brother, F. M., and they knew most of the Irving residents. In 1939 the family moved from their small cottage, which was then located just south of the corner of Irving Boulevard and O’Connor, to 309 South O'Connor (Iowa Street then). Clays father had purchased the home from his brother, W. B. Gilbert, who had lived in the home with his family from 1936 to 1939. W.B. had purchased the “Airplane Bungalow” house from Louise Joffre Baker who had lived there since 1919, the year that it was built.
Clay attended the Irving Public Schools, and his first-grade teacher was Mrs. Elise Walker from 1939-1940 and his second-grade teacher was Mrs. Gela F. Harkey from 1940 1941. Mrs. Harkey taught the second grade in Irving from 1923-1947, and during those years "she taught every Gilbert in Irving." The family recalls how she taught his brother as well as cousins and many close relatives.
In high school, some of the teachers Clay held dear to his heart, were Mrs. Fannie Louise Sharp (English), Mrs. Clara Gibbs (English), Mr. F. N. Wilson (Math). Irving remained a rather small town and he knew most of the teachers in grade school and high school. Clay graduated from Irving High School in May 1950.
At age 17, Clay entered the freshman class at Southern Methodist University and began pre-medical studies. As a little boy people would ask, "Clay, do you want to become a doctor like your father?” And later he would immediately reply that he did! That was all he knew; his Mother was a nurse and Dad was a physician. Dr. Gilbert recalled how patients would come by the house frequently for his Dad to treat them. He grew up around medicine. Notably, his grandfather, D. W. Gilbert, M.D. was the first physician to practice medicine in Irving (1880-1930), and his father, Franklin Monroe Gilbert, M. D. practiced medicine in Irving fifty-nine years (1920-1979).
Dr. Gilbert graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) on June 1, 1954 with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry, Psychology and Religion. Following graduation from SMU, he entered graduate school and began to work on his Master's Degree in Biology in addition to taking other courses, such as Histology, that would help him in medical school.
In the summer of 1959, Clay applied and was accepted to the freshman class at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri, that began in September of that year. Days passed into months, and months into years and he graduated with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. (D. O.) on May 27, 1963, finishing a four-year course leading to his degree.
On October 22, 2003 A. T. Still University of Health Sciences endowed The Clay W. Gilbert D.O. Chair for the Department of Family Medicine at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM).
Dr. Gilbert interned at Stevens Park Hospital, Dallas, Texas from 1963-1964. On June 1, 1964 he entered into the practice of Family Medicine with two other doctors in Athens, Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed his practice there, delivering babies, making house calls and conducting an office practice. These were wonderful happy years for him, and he continued to practice in Athens until February 1967.
During his years of practice in Athens, Dr. Gilbert became interested in Anesthesiology. At the Wolfe-Duphorne Hospital he had given general anesthesia and had learned in great detail the art of ether anesthesia and its administration. Dr. Gilbert applied to Dallas Osteopathic Hospital (now Dallas Memorial Hospital) for a residency in Anesthesiology and was accepted and began his residency on February 1, 1967, where he continued until July 1, 1967. The Chief of Anesthesiology recommended that Dr. Gilbert complete his residency at Cherry Hill Hospital Medical Center, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, due to its excellent reputation as a training hospital in anesthesiology. On July 11, 1967 he entered the Anesthesiology residency as suggested and completed it on February 10, 1969. Dr. Gilbert accepted a position after the residency as a Staff Anesthesiologist at Cherry Hill Hospital Medical Center, remaining on the staff there for one year (1969-1970). He then returned to Dallas, Texas and became a staff anesthesiologist at the Stevens Park Hospital (now Dallas Family Hospital) for two years (1970-1972); before accepting a position at the North East Memorial Hospital, Houston, Texas from 1972-1976 as of Chief of Anesthesiology. Next on his medical journey, Dr. Gilbert accepted a position as staff anesthesiologist at East Town Osteopathic Hospital (now Tri-City Hospital) between the years of 1976-1978. A position of Chief of Anesthesiology Department at Pioneer Park Hospital, Irving, Texas was offered to Dr. Gilbert in 1978 and he accepted working there until 1986 at which time he chose to retire from the Anesthesiology practice.
After his retirement from this particular area of practice, Dr. Gilbert entered the practice of Family Medicine in Irving, Texas which he successfully ran between 1986 through 1988; at which time Dr. Gilbert transferred his practice to the Stevens Park Clinic, Dallas, Texas treating patients until 1989. He then fully retired from the practice of medicine and had traveled many times including extensive travel in Israel.
Dr. Gilbert maintained his membership with the following professional societies: The American Osteopathic Association (retired member); The Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (retired member); Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (retired member); and The American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists (retired member).
Dr. Gilbert attended Bible School in Dallas for several years and between the years of 1990 and 1992 he was president of the Ministerial Elders at the Eagle's Nest Family Church, Dallas, Texas.
On April 10, 1990, Dr. Gilbert was ordained into the ministry under the International Deliverance Churches of which Eagle's Nest is affiliated. Then, on April 29, 1991, he received his "Certificate of Ordination" under the United Christian Church and Ministerial Association, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Dr. Gilbert attended the First United Methodist Church, Irving, and until his death was a member and elder of the Calvary Temple Church, Irving.
Dr. Gilbert was a charter member of the Irving Heritage Society and had served on the Society's board of directors. Mary Higbie recalls her memories having lived next door to the Schulze family home (Heritage House) as a youth as well as an adult. She stated “Clay was a wonderful docent for visitor tours of the Heritage House. He would share stories of his personal interaction with C.P. and Virginia Schulze. He was a wonderful musician as well and often played the piano for guests as the music room was a favorite area for his assignment during the tours.
No Heritage Society Valentine Tea would be complete without Clay at the piano. Tea guests would find a spot to be nearby to listen or perhaps share a verse or two of a favorite song. He was chosen as the Heritage Society Sweetheart in 2003 for his dedication as a volunteer on behalf of the Heritage Society. Until the last couple of years, he regularly attended the board meetings. He always seemed to especially enjoy the desserts and sometimes went home with an extra serving.
His service on the museum advisory board was important to him. His memory and attention to detail served him well in many areas. He, like many others, worked hard over the years for a history style museum for Irving. Perhaps a major accomplishment was getting the house at 309 South O'Connor on the National Register of Historic Places. No small task, Clay was diligent in every detail in getting this accomplished. It was awarded August 1, 2014. The day he shared the information with the Heritage Society board was indeed exciting. The Heritage Society helped him host a public dedication and reception on a beautiful December day in 2014. It was the very first such designation on the National Register of Historic Places in Irving. I am sure that those of us who have been involved with the Heritage Society for any length of time each have a story about Clay. The memory of him will be one that we will cherish for many years to come.”
Dr. Gilbert also sat on several of the City of Irving's Centennial Task Force Committees planning the celebration of the 100th birthday of the city. In 1995, Dr. Clay Gilbert received a Community Service Award given by the Irving Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. When he was a part of the city's centennial celebration planning, Dr. Gilbert donated a piece of land to the city toward the development of a new park commemorating the city's centennial. The Board of Directors of the Irving Independent School District named the Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert Elementary School, located at 5100 East Pioneer, in honor of his father. The Dr. D. W. Gilbert School, at 707 Edmonson, was named in honor of his grandfather, Dr. D. W. Gilbert. "Gilbert Road" in West Irving Bear Creek area was also named in honor of Dr. D. W. Gilbert many years ago.
On December 8, 1994, Dr. Clay W. Gilbert gave the City of Irving, Texas, the original copy of the "Irving Index Newspaper", Vol. 1 No. 1, dated December 19, 1903, R. M. Hudson Editor. Joe Rice writes in "Irving, a Texas Odyssey'', p. 37, the following:" The Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad provided a special train out of Dallas to the auction (of town lots) which had been advertised in the newspaper. Spence Dilworth cooked barbeque, which was available with fixings. An unusual circumstance was that editor R. M. Hudson passed through the crowd distributing the first issue of his newspaper, the "Irving Index". About 150 people gathered for the sale (of lots).” This piece of history ,as well as the legacy and memories that Dr. Clay Gilbert leaves behind, will forever now be held in the hearts and minds of past, current and future residents of Irving, Texas.
Dr. Clay Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert and Dorothy (Brandon) Gilbert. Left to cherish his memory are his brother Dr. Frances Monroe Gilbert and his Nephews and their wives, Jere (Cindy) Gilbert, Mark (Gail) Gilbert and Greg (Leslie) Gilbert and as well as many grand nephews and nieces. A special thanks to his caregiver, Dalia Garces, for her dedicated and loving care of Clay the last several years. His family will miss him; his storytelling, his strong faith, his love of good food and all the wonderful times spent together at family gatherings.
Graveside service will be held 11:00a.m. on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens 1413 E. Irving Blvd. Irving TX, 75060.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will be held at a later date, please continue to check back, as we will update this page as soon as the service details have been set.
The family request memorial donations to the Irving Heritage Society donation can be made by clicking here
Clay attended the Irving Public Schools, and his first-grade teacher was Mrs. Elise Walker from 1939-1940 and his second-grade teacher was Mrs. Gela F. Harkey from 1940 1941. Mrs. Harkey taught the second grade in Irving from 1923-1947, and during those years "she taught every Gilbert in Irving." The family recalls how she taught his brother as well as cousins and many close relatives.
In high school, some of the teachers Clay held dear to his heart, were Mrs. Fannie Louise Sharp (English), Mrs. Clara Gibbs (English), Mr. F. N. Wilson (Math). Irving remained a rather small town and he knew most of the teachers in grade school and high school. Clay graduated from Irving High School in May 1950.
At age 17, Clay entered the freshman class at Southern Methodist University and began pre-medical studies. As a little boy people would ask, "Clay, do you want to become a doctor like your father?” And later he would immediately reply that he did! That was all he knew; his Mother was a nurse and Dad was a physician. Dr. Gilbert recalled how patients would come by the house frequently for his Dad to treat them. He grew up around medicine. Notably, his grandfather, D. W. Gilbert, M.D. was the first physician to practice medicine in Irving (1880-1930), and his father, Franklin Monroe Gilbert, M. D. practiced medicine in Irving fifty-nine years (1920-1979).
Dr. Gilbert graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) on June 1, 1954 with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry, Psychology and Religion. Following graduation from SMU, he entered graduate school and began to work on his Master's Degree in Biology in addition to taking other courses, such as Histology, that would help him in medical school.
In the summer of 1959, Clay applied and was accepted to the freshman class at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri, that began in September of that year. Days passed into months, and months into years and he graduated with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. (D. O.) on May 27, 1963, finishing a four-year course leading to his degree.
On October 22, 2003 A. T. Still University of Health Sciences endowed The Clay W. Gilbert D.O. Chair for the Department of Family Medicine at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM).
Dr. Gilbert interned at Stevens Park Hospital, Dallas, Texas from 1963-1964. On June 1, 1964 he entered into the practice of Family Medicine with two other doctors in Athens, Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed his practice there, delivering babies, making house calls and conducting an office practice. These were wonderful happy years for him, and he continued to practice in Athens until February 1967.
During his years of practice in Athens, Dr. Gilbert became interested in Anesthesiology. At the Wolfe-Duphorne Hospital he had given general anesthesia and had learned in great detail the art of ether anesthesia and its administration. Dr. Gilbert applied to Dallas Osteopathic Hospital (now Dallas Memorial Hospital) for a residency in Anesthesiology and was accepted and began his residency on February 1, 1967, where he continued until July 1, 1967. The Chief of Anesthesiology recommended that Dr. Gilbert complete his residency at Cherry Hill Hospital Medical Center, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, due to its excellent reputation as a training hospital in anesthesiology. On July 11, 1967 he entered the Anesthesiology residency as suggested and completed it on February 10, 1969. Dr. Gilbert accepted a position after the residency as a Staff Anesthesiologist at Cherry Hill Hospital Medical Center, remaining on the staff there for one year (1969-1970). He then returned to Dallas, Texas and became a staff anesthesiologist at the Stevens Park Hospital (now Dallas Family Hospital) for two years (1970-1972); before accepting a position at the North East Memorial Hospital, Houston, Texas from 1972-1976 as of Chief of Anesthesiology. Next on his medical journey, Dr. Gilbert accepted a position as staff anesthesiologist at East Town Osteopathic Hospital (now Tri-City Hospital) between the years of 1976-1978. A position of Chief of Anesthesiology Department at Pioneer Park Hospital, Irving, Texas was offered to Dr. Gilbert in 1978 and he accepted working there until 1986 at which time he chose to retire from the Anesthesiology practice.
After his retirement from this particular area of practice, Dr. Gilbert entered the practice of Family Medicine in Irving, Texas which he successfully ran between 1986 through 1988; at which time Dr. Gilbert transferred his practice to the Stevens Park Clinic, Dallas, Texas treating patients until 1989. He then fully retired from the practice of medicine and had traveled many times including extensive travel in Israel.
Dr. Gilbert maintained his membership with the following professional societies: The American Osteopathic Association (retired member); The Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (retired member); Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (retired member); and The American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists (retired member).
Dr. Gilbert attended Bible School in Dallas for several years and between the years of 1990 and 1992 he was president of the Ministerial Elders at the Eagle's Nest Family Church, Dallas, Texas.
On April 10, 1990, Dr. Gilbert was ordained into the ministry under the International Deliverance Churches of which Eagle's Nest is affiliated. Then, on April 29, 1991, he received his "Certificate of Ordination" under the United Christian Church and Ministerial Association, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Dr. Gilbert attended the First United Methodist Church, Irving, and until his death was a member and elder of the Calvary Temple Church, Irving.
Dr. Gilbert was a charter member of the Irving Heritage Society and had served on the Society's board of directors. Mary Higbie recalls her memories having lived next door to the Schulze family home (Heritage House) as a youth as well as an adult. She stated “Clay was a wonderful docent for visitor tours of the Heritage House. He would share stories of his personal interaction with C.P. and Virginia Schulze. He was a wonderful musician as well and often played the piano for guests as the music room was a favorite area for his assignment during the tours.
No Heritage Society Valentine Tea would be complete without Clay at the piano. Tea guests would find a spot to be nearby to listen or perhaps share a verse or two of a favorite song. He was chosen as the Heritage Society Sweetheart in 2003 for his dedication as a volunteer on behalf of the Heritage Society. Until the last couple of years, he regularly attended the board meetings. He always seemed to especially enjoy the desserts and sometimes went home with an extra serving.
His service on the museum advisory board was important to him. His memory and attention to detail served him well in many areas. He, like many others, worked hard over the years for a history style museum for Irving. Perhaps a major accomplishment was getting the house at 309 South O'Connor on the National Register of Historic Places. No small task, Clay was diligent in every detail in getting this accomplished. It was awarded August 1, 2014. The day he shared the information with the Heritage Society board was indeed exciting. The Heritage Society helped him host a public dedication and reception on a beautiful December day in 2014. It was the very first such designation on the National Register of Historic Places in Irving. I am sure that those of us who have been involved with the Heritage Society for any length of time each have a story about Clay. The memory of him will be one that we will cherish for many years to come.”
Dr. Gilbert also sat on several of the City of Irving's Centennial Task Force Committees planning the celebration of the 100th birthday of the city. In 1995, Dr. Clay Gilbert received a Community Service Award given by the Irving Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. When he was a part of the city's centennial celebration planning, Dr. Gilbert donated a piece of land to the city toward the development of a new park commemorating the city's centennial. The Board of Directors of the Irving Independent School District named the Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert Elementary School, located at 5100 East Pioneer, in honor of his father. The Dr. D. W. Gilbert School, at 707 Edmonson, was named in honor of his grandfather, Dr. D. W. Gilbert. "Gilbert Road" in West Irving Bear Creek area was also named in honor of Dr. D. W. Gilbert many years ago.
On December 8, 1994, Dr. Clay W. Gilbert gave the City of Irving, Texas, the original copy of the "Irving Index Newspaper", Vol. 1 No. 1, dated December 19, 1903, R. M. Hudson Editor. Joe Rice writes in "Irving, a Texas Odyssey'', p. 37, the following:" The Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad provided a special train out of Dallas to the auction (of town lots) which had been advertised in the newspaper. Spence Dilworth cooked barbeque, which was available with fixings. An unusual circumstance was that editor R. M. Hudson passed through the crowd distributing the first issue of his newspaper, the "Irving Index". About 150 people gathered for the sale (of lots).” This piece of history ,as well as the legacy and memories that Dr. Clay Gilbert leaves behind, will forever now be held in the hearts and minds of past, current and future residents of Irving, Texas.
Dr. Clay Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert and Dorothy (Brandon) Gilbert. Left to cherish his memory are his brother Dr. Frances Monroe Gilbert and his Nephews and their wives, Jere (Cindy) Gilbert, Mark (Gail) Gilbert and Greg (Leslie) Gilbert and as well as many grand nephews and nieces. A special thanks to his caregiver, Dalia Garces, for her dedicated and loving care of Clay the last several years. His family will miss him; his storytelling, his strong faith, his love of good food and all the wonderful times spent together at family gatherings.
Graveside service will be held 11:00a.m. on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens 1413 E. Irving Blvd. Irving TX, 75060.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will be held at a later date, please continue to check back, as we will update this page as soon as the service details have been set.
The family request memorial donations to the Irving Heritage Society donation can be made by clicking here