- Date Of Birth: July 15, 1921
- Date Of Death: April 2, 2014
- State: Colorado
Now comes a time to celebrate the long, fruitful and well lived life of Gilbert Leroy Kesler.
Born in Tiffin, Ohio on July 15, 1921, Gil traveled a long road to Canon City where he lived the last ten years in the loving company of his beloved daughter and grand-daughter, Kim Madigan and Katie Barr.
Mr. Kesler follows the path of his sweetheart bride of 64 years Virginia Elizabeth, who recently led the way. When Gil married Virginia Elizabeth Rosenberger on Nov. 27, 1946, in Baltimore, Md., they embarked on a journey that resulted in 5 brothers and sisters; Charles H. Bell of Greensboro NC., Diane Alexander and Pete Kesler of Littleton, CO., and Kimberley Kesler-Madigan and John Kesler of Canon City. The love that produced these children was carried forward leaving Gil’s survivors to include 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mr. Kesler is also survived by his sister Margaret Henry and brother George Kesler.
He continued to pursue his love of flying by being a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, a pilot in the Civilian Air Patrol of Maryland. He also conducted a complete restoration of a 1948 Luscombe 8e in the one car garage of his home in Littleton, CO. Gil came to live in Littleton in 1960 when he was transferred from Baltimore by his long time employer, Glenn L. Martin Co. which is now Lockheed Martin. Gil played integral roles in the highly successful Titan missile program and the Mercury and Gemini NASA space programs.
Gil was diagnosed with lung cancer and lymphoma in the fall of 2004. It was at that time he moved to Canon City and learned to call it his home.
Gil was deeply loved and respected by his entire family.
