Charles "Phil" Philip Gilmore Sr., passed away at Brookdale Skylyn in Spartanburg, SC on Saturday, January 21st at the age of 87 after losing his battle with cancer.Phil was born in Grove City, Mercer, PA on May, 11, 1929 to Charles Otis Gilmore and Alice "Linnie" Parker. His younger brother Donald preceded him in death in 2009. His interests and hobbies were genealogy, coin collecting and shortwave radio where he made many friends across the globe.Phil served in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Korean War. His bravery while serving his country earned him the prestigious Bronze Star and two, Purple Heart medals. While serving duty in the Korean War, he was an Amphibious Tank Commander in the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion. His complete tour of duty ran from 1945 to 1959 where he finished his duty as a military Correctional Officer. Having completed NCO Leadership School in February of 1956, he received his highest rank of Staff Sergeant.As a civilian, Phil continued his service to others as an X-Ray Technician and U.S. Postal Carrier. Phil was well traveled, but he spent most of his latter years in Tryon, NC at the suggestion of a former Marine squad member. Phil finished building his own house in Tryon in 1979 and lived there nearly up until the time of his passing.Phil was preceded in death by his first wife, Jessie Mae Zehr in 1992 and his second wife Imogene "Gene" Snyder Book in 1990. Phil is survived by three children to his first wife: Deborah Sue (Gilmore) Perez of Hampton, VA; William Herschel Gilmore of Forest Ranch, CA and Mary Alice (Gilmore) Reynolds of Hampton, VA. Three children are survived by his second wife: Aaron Gilmore of Columbus, NC; Philip Gilmore of Manchester, TN and Patricia (Gilmore) Quinn of Cowpens, SC. Another son also surviving is Patrick Gilmore of Coraopolis, PA. There are also 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.Interment will be at Woodland Cemetery located in Grove City, PA.
To
to the family, please