of Mountain View, AR
March 20, 1929 - April 25, 2023
Born on March 20, 1929, in a dogtrot house in Timbo, Herbert Hoover Gilbert was the youngest of eight children born to Eual Oscar and Ollie Eva Woody Gilbert. Hoover was called to his heavenly home on April 25, 2023 at the age of 94. His wife of 72 years, Olene Saville Gilbert was by his side.
He is survived by his wife, Olene, along with their daughter Susan Kemp (John Dan) of Little Rock, granddaughters Erin Brogdon (Jay) of North Little Rock and Lauren ''Laurs'' Kemp (James Bushey) of Portland, OR. His precious great grandsons are Hoover, Hutson and Hawkins Brogdon of North Little Rock. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Hoover is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Lucy McGhee, Ramey Gilbert, Lola Avey, Lawton Gilbert , Willis Gilbert , Coley Gilbert, and Walton Gilbert.
Hoover graduated from Big Flat High School in 1947. He played on the basketball team there and it became a big part of his life. In 1949, a beautiful young school teacher, Olene Saville came to Timbo, where he was living. They were married on July 28, 1950. Hoover graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College in 1958 with a degree in Physical Education.
Hoover's first basketball coaching job was at the newly built Sylvan Hills High School, in North Little Rock. His team always had a winning record the nine years he coached there.
Hoover and his family moved to Stone County in 1967. He was an assistant coach at Timbo from 1969 to 1975. Hoover coached the junior and senior girls, as well as, the junior and senior boys teams at Rural Special High School in Fox from 1976 to 1979. None of the Rural Special teams ever lost a home game while he was there.
Hoover and Olene retired in 1980 to their farm in Fox, where they enjoyed raising cattle, fishing and taking care of their granddaughters, while their daughter taught school at Rural Special. When their granddaughters were in Mountain View Elementary School, Hoover was their peewee basketball coach. Hoover and Olene eventually moved to Mountain View to be closer to their granddaughters and attend their basketball games, cheerleading and other school activities.
Mountain View, Arkansas, the Folk Music Capital of World was a perfect home for Hoover, who was always known as ''Coach''. He loved to listen to music on the courthouse square, Pickin' Park and other music venues in town. He didn't know a stranger. Hoover met visitors from all over the US and several foreign countries and he welcomed them into his home. He loved to meet new people and tell stories about the ''good old days'' with a lot of love and humor.
A Celebration of Life for Coach Hoover Gilbert will be Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Mountain View First Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by the program at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Rural Special Gym Renovation Project (Renee Carr, P.O. Box 145, Fox, AR 72051) or the Committee of 100 Music Roots Program (Committee of One Hundred, P.O. Box 2111, Mountain View, AR 72560).
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32 Condolence(s)
Tony Francis
Monday, April 15, 2024
I just now learned of the passing of Coach Gilbert and want to extend my condolences to his family. I only attended Sylvan Hills High for the 65-66 year as a sophomore and met Coach in PE and Olene in Geometry. They were quite the Power Couple. He was the epitome of a coach to me, tough, but fair. I experienced the end of his infamous paddle on several occasions, all of which were "self inflicted". My sophomore year was one of rebellion! I learned a lot about life from him and I think that we parted as friends, with a lot of repect for one another when I returned to Catholic High. I'm really glad that he had such a long run on this earth and that he influenced the lives of many. Rest In Peace, Coach!
Jerry and Tammy May
Friday, May 5, 2023
We are so sorry to hear about Herbert. He meant so much to us. We loved him dearly and loved to be around him. His humor would pick us up when we were struggling. He and Olene were so good to us when we were in Mountain View and FBC. We will miss him dearly but know he is making the Lord laugh right now. Our prayers are with Olene and Susan and the grandchildren. We love you Olene and you are always in our hearts.
Love you, Jerry and Tammy May
alice G forshee
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
My condolence
Sam Cummings
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Olene Susan and family. We are sad to learn of the loss of Coach. He will be waiting in heaven for his family and friends to join him one day. Coach Hoover was my P. E. And health teacher. Mrs. Olene was my math teacher. I learned a lot from each of you. Thank you for being a stabilizing influence on all of us in the Class of 1965 and classes before and after. May God bless and comfort you.
Linda King
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
My condolences on your loss. Prayers for the family.
Danny and Brigette Wilson
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Praying
Teresa Leonard (Sebert)
Monday, May 1, 2023
So sorry to hear the news. Coach will be missed. Prayers for the family. 💕
Richard and Kathy White
Monday, May 1, 2023
This guitar player will certainly miss Coach and Olean coming by the square to sit and listen to the music. I'll play your favorite request, "Today I Stated Loving Her Again" next time I'm down
It's been a long time since I was asked to dance but Coach made me feel young again!
Terry Ford
Monday, May 1, 2023
What a great man and coach. Coach Gilbert help mold me into a better man and basketball player during my junior and senior years at Sylvan Hills. Prays to Olene and family.
Mike and Lynda Staley - Sylvan Hills High School (1960 - 1964)
Monday, May 1, 2023
Dear Mrs Gilbert
We are so sorry for the loss of Coach Gilbert.
I wish to also thank you so much for your efforts and patience in helping to get me through High School all those years ago. Thanks to wonderful Teachers such as yourself, Coach Gilbert, Mrs Jones, Mrs Harrison, Mr and Mrs Duke, Mr Carson, Mr Ford and, many others, I fumbled my way to graduation in 1964.
I would like to provide you with a brief review of my life after High School. I do this because I know that you saw unrealized potential in me during my time at Sylvan Hills. To begin, I married the love of my life Lynda Lewis in 1966. We have two sons and four grandchildren. I did go on to college while working and graduated from Texas A&M in 1972. My work history was in the food industry with Coca Cola, Borden Foods and eventually a partnership in the largest Food Brokerage Company in Texas,
Lynda and I have had a full and wonderful life. We have had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States and to many Foreign Countries. For the last thirty years we have lived in the same home here inConroe, Texas. ( But, always a Razorback )
Thank you again for the important roles you and Coach played in preparing so many us for our lives as good citizens.
May God Bless and keep you during this time of great loss.
Mike and Lynda Staley ( Class of '64 )
Sonja Jessen
Monday, May 1, 2023
Dear Family,
We are sad for your loss. We loved to visit with Coach, missed seeing him because Covid hit our town and our good visits with him and Ms. Olene.
Our prayers are with you during this sad occasion of separation for a while He is still telling good stories and enjoying his Heavenly home now.
He was a wonderful person and we were blessed to have him and his family as friends.
Keith & Sonja Jessen
Rigina Pogue Day
Sunday, April 30, 2023
We were up on the square one Saturday night last summer listening to music and he and his wife were in the car next to us. We talked for a good while. It was so good to see him again. Thankful for the visit. Praying for you and your family
Charles and Patricia McCain
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Sad to hear of the loss of Coach Gilbert. He was always a bright light at First Baptist Church. I enjoyed talking sports with him. When we would meet, he would greet me by saying "hello Forrest City'. I can hear that now.. Prayers go out to Miss Olene and the family. We will be there in spirit Wednesday.
Phyllis Frazier
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Love to Olene,Susan and Family! Sure did enjoy Hoover and Olene at the Auctions.
Delanna
Sunday, April 30, 2023
I so enjoyed Coach Gilbert. Always smiling and friendly. Such a wonderful man. I am sorry for your loss. Prayers and love for each of you.
Angel Franks
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Uncle Hoover was a great person. He was always so loving to all of us kids. I will miss him and his stories as i miss Granny Lola. My prayers are with Aunt Olene, Susan, Jon Dan, and all the rest of this sweet family. Love Angel, Nancy Avey, and Family.
Shirley D Barnett
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Many wonderful memories of the Gilberts' time at Sylvan Hills High School. My High School time was punctuated by being part of the pep squad at basketball games. Good times overseen by good people--Coach and Mrs Gilbert.
Wes and Judy Kent
Saturday, April 29, 2023
It was always a joy to visit with Hoover and Olene. Hoover was witty and fun to be around. He loved my feral hog sausage and I loved sharing it with him and with Olene. I will truly miss him. We will meet again in Heaven!
Marti Parrish
Saturday, April 29, 2023
I graduated from Sylvan Hills in 1965.
Every student there loved “Coachâ€. I was a cheerleader for 6 years, so got to know him and see him in action with his loyal players. We all loved him and respected him. We always had a winning team because of him. As my science teacher he was my favorite as he was to many. He was funny and kind and demanded the best of us all which we gladly gave him. Wish all students today could have such a role model as he was to so many of us. Looking forward to seeing you again in Heaven “Coach Gilbertâ€. We are the Bears the mighty mighty Sylvan Hills Bears! We had a coach, teacher, mentor, and friend that led us to be better human beings!
Thanks Coach!!
James “Dale†Harlan
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Was on basketball team at SYLVAN HILLS in 1963
Stan and Sandy Ackerman
Saturday, April 29, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with Hoover and Olene!
Judy Bushop
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Hoover had a long-lasting twinkle in his eye! He was friendly, interesting to talk to, and a lover of life. He and Olene are a wonderful example of a long-married couple that stayed in love. Surely will miss him!
Johnnie Paul and Azelie Jones
Friday, April 28, 2023
Dear Ms Olene, We were so sorry to hear of Coach's passing to his forever home. We always enjoyed visiting with you when we came to Mt
View. Though we won't be able to be with you physically, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and your family. Johnnie Paul and Azelie
Johnnie Paul and Azelie Jones
Friday, April 28, 2023
Dear Ms Olene, We were so sorry to hear of Coach's passing to his forever home. We always enjoyed visiting with you when we came to Mt
View. Though we won't be able to be with you physically, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and your family. Johnnie Paul and Azelie
Danny & Martha Simmons
Friday, April 28, 2023
So sorry to hear this. He always had a story to tell. He's been a long time friend to us and many others. He will be missed. Prayers for all of the family ðŸ™â£ï¸
Belinda Todd Adcox and Jimmy Adcox
Friday, April 28, 2023
Will be greatly missed ..We loved you both..Everyone loved his smile..So happy we got to see him a few weeks ago..He was smiling as always..Love you
Wanda jo lancaster
Friday, April 28, 2023
My sympathy .
Sammy and Joy Lawrence
Friday, April 28, 2023
It was always a pleasure to see Coach and Olene at the pickin park.
Jim ScamanSo sorry for your loss
Friday, April 28, 2023
So sorry for your loss Olene. Coach will be missed and I am sure the check is in the mail. What great humor he shared with us all.
Jim & Nancy Steele
Friday, April 28, 2023
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. I know he will be missed by all. Prayers for your family
Larry and Jill Howard
Friday, April 28, 2023
Prayers for Olene and the family, Coach was such a special person and loved by so many and will be missed greatly.
Martha Hill
Friday, April 28, 2023
What a wonderful man. I will miss that smile and the love he gave to all of us.