John D. Gilmore

John David Gilmore, 84, of Lancaster, Ohio, passed away on January 26th at the Pickering House in Lancaster. 

John attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson Ohio, and graduated from Lancaster High School in the class of 1958, where he met the love of his life, Pat Woodyard, with whom he was married for 55 years until her death in 2016.  John attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.  Upon his graduation in 1962, he joined the family business, Gilmore Brothers, an electrical contracting company. He was a life long member of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, where he was a familiar face to the congregants, serving as head usher for many years.  After his retirement, he spent his time investing in his family and friends, recording their activities together in a myriad of photos, which he enjoyed reviewing each evening.

After moving to Primrose Retirement Community in 2024, he was quickly invited to be an ambassador, serving as a tour guide for prospective residents, and loved getting to know all the residents and staff members there. His personal goal was to meet and become acquainted with as many residents as possible, a goal that his family is certain that he happily accomplished.  John was a devoted early bird treadmill user at Planet Fitness in Lancaster, where he formed even more friendships. 

John is survived by his two devoted sons and daughter-in-law, Mike(Jill) and Steve of Lancaster, and his five grandchildren: Spencer of Boston, MA, Harrison, Anna and Amelia, of Lancaster, and Alec, of Columbus, Ohio,a brother Steve (Cindy) of Memphis TN, and a sister, Susan (Bob) of Atlanta Ga. as well as several nieces and nephews.

A private family service, with interment at Forest Rose Cemetery, will be at a later date.  Arrangements have been handled through the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home.  In leiu of flowers, donations in John's name can be made to the FairHope Hospice, 282 Sells Rd. Lancaster, OH 43130. Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com