1940
John
2019
John Gilbert
July 21, 1940 — February 19, 2019
Tupelo- On Tuesday, February 19, 2019, God called home John Gilbert, age 78, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and “Pops.” A longtime resident of Tupelo, he passed away at home. John was born on July 21, 1940 to John Amos Gilbert and Dorotha Brewer Stewart in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
He was a mentor to many young people in his lifetime. He had a special affinity for children and youth. He spent many years coaching, teaching, and refereeing in some capacity in the Mississippi education system. He also spent many years in city and church youth programs serving as a coach, referee, and leader.
To many children he was known as "Mr. MegaSports" when he owned and operated MegaSports Family Fun Center in Tupelo.
John was a lifetime Ole Miss Rebel fan and enjoyed attending and watching sports of all kinds.
He was an avid sportsman and hunter and spent a great deal of time with his sons and grandchildren teaching them to love and care for our great outdoors. He was a much-loved man who will be missed by so many.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Polly Gilbert; daughters, Lori Pruitt of Tupelo, Teresa Stanford of Tupelo and Jessica Harrell and her husband, Randy of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; sons, Johnny Gilbert and his wife, Stephanie of Collierville, Tennessee and Josh Gilbert and his wife, Melissa of Jacksonville Beach; eight grandchildren, Rob Pruitt and his wife, Michelle of Tupelo, Nikki Grammer of Southaven, Kyle Stanford of Southaven, Alycia Gilbert of Seattle, Washington, Hailey Gilbert of Collierville, Sam Harrell, Presley Rose Harrell and Audrey Harrell, all of Jacksonville Beach; two great-grandchildren, Mia Pruitt and Reese Pruitt, both of Tupelo; brothers, Jerry Gilbert and his wife, Marsha of Tupelo, Meyer Gilbert and his wife, Rodainah of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Scott Stewart of Tupelo; a very special brother-in-law and friend, Robert Wills; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Amos and his wife, Amy Gilbert and mother, Dorotha and her husband, C.L. Stewart; and brother, Mike Stewart.
Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2019 and from 1 p.m. until service time, Saturday, February 23, 2019 at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring his life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2019 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. David Smith of Harrisburg Baptist Church officiating. Private family graveside services in Tupelo Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Allan Gilbert, Hunter Gilbert, Lavelle McAlpin, Audie Robertson, James Wills, Dennis Wills, Randy Wills, and Corey Wills.
Honorary pallbearers will be his former football players.
Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .
He was a mentor to many young people in his lifetime. He had a special affinity for children and youth. He spent many years coaching, teaching, and refereeing in some capacity in the Mississippi education system. He also spent many years in city and church youth programs serving as a coach, referee, and leader.
To many children he was known as "Mr. MegaSports" when he owned and operated MegaSports Family Fun Center in Tupelo.
John was a lifetime Ole Miss Rebel fan and enjoyed attending and watching sports of all kinds.
He was an avid sportsman and hunter and spent a great deal of time with his sons and grandchildren teaching them to love and care for our great outdoors. He was a much-loved man who will be missed by so many.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Polly Gilbert; daughters, Lori Pruitt of Tupelo, Teresa Stanford of Tupelo and Jessica Harrell and her husband, Randy of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; sons, Johnny Gilbert and his wife, Stephanie of Collierville, Tennessee and Josh Gilbert and his wife, Melissa of Jacksonville Beach; eight grandchildren, Rob Pruitt and his wife, Michelle of Tupelo, Nikki Grammer of Southaven, Kyle Stanford of Southaven, Alycia Gilbert of Seattle, Washington, Hailey Gilbert of Collierville, Sam Harrell, Presley Rose Harrell and Audrey Harrell, all of Jacksonville Beach; two great-grandchildren, Mia Pruitt and Reese Pruitt, both of Tupelo; brothers, Jerry Gilbert and his wife, Marsha of Tupelo, Meyer Gilbert and his wife, Rodainah of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Scott Stewart of Tupelo; a very special brother-in-law and friend, Robert Wills; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Amos and his wife, Amy Gilbert and mother, Dorotha and her husband, C.L. Stewart; and brother, Mike Stewart.
Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2019 and from 1 p.m. until service time, Saturday, February 23, 2019 at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring his life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2019 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. David Smith of Harrisburg Baptist Church officiating. Private family graveside services in Tupelo Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Allan Gilbert, Hunter Gilbert, Lavelle McAlpin, Audie Robertson, James Wills, Dennis Wills, Randy Wills, and Corey Wills.
Honorary pallbearers will be his former football players.
Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Gilbert, please visit our flower store.
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