Johnny Raymond Gilbert

Johnny Raymond Gilbert, 76, of Cleveland, TN passed away on December 5, 2017. Johnny was a “New Years Baby” born on January 1, 1941 to the late David and Geneva Gilbert. A resident of Cleveland for more than 50 years, Johnny was dedicated to this community. He is most well-known from owning and operating Gilbert Fence Company for 48 years. He used his company as a springboard for many different outreach opportunities and ways to give back to others. He loved to give back, something evident as he would cheerfully give a box of donuts to many he came in contact with. His heart was larger than his personality and he loved his friends and family deeply. Johnny was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His memory will live on forever each time someone sees one of those yellow signs reading: “Good fences make good neighbors. If you meet me and forget me you’ve lost nothing. If you meet Jesus and forget him, you’ve lost everything.”
In addition to his mother and father, he is preceded in death by his wife Judy Gilbert; son Jonathan Gilbert; sister Christine Sisk; brothers: Wallace Gilbert, Herman Gilbert, Arthur Gilbert, and Edward Gilbert.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his brother David Gilbert Jr.; sister Martha Marie Cooley; and grandson Matthew Gilbert. In addition to these, Johnny leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.
A celebration of Johnny’s life will be held at 7:00pm on Friday December 8, 2017 at Heritage Fellowship Church of God located at 4635 S. Lee Highway McDonald, TN 37353 with Steve Gilbert officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Friday at the church prior to visitation. Johnny will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens at 1:00pm on Saturday December 9, 2017. A funeral procession will leave from Heritage Fellowship at 12:30pm.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Johnny or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Gilbert family with these arrangements.