Michael Dee “MD” Gilbert, age 74, of Lewisburg, TN passed from this life during the early evening hours of Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in the arms of his loving wife. MD was born August 31, 1949, in Houston, TX to parents Thomas Dee and Irene Gilbert.
He married the love of his life, Loretta Lowe, January 29, 2007, after a six-year courtship. They built a beautiful life together for over 23 years.
MD was a proud native Houstonian as he would always say. He and his wife moved to the beautiful town of Lewisburg, TN in 2020. MD owned and operated a management consulting company, at one point held a polygraph license. He could read people very well. That skill and the unction of the Holy Spirit frequently led him to uplift, encourage and give money to complete strangers.
MD was a proud graduate of the University of Houston. He was a pitcher for the Cougar’s baseball team, playing Varsity all 4 years. He pitched the 1st no-hitter in U of H history in 1971. He was recruited to play by the New York Mets after high school but wanted to attend college. After graduating from UH, he was again recruited by the NY Mets and played on their farm team in the early 70s. MD loved the game but never fit in or wanted to after what he observed. He said, “I love Jesus too much to ever want what I saw there”. After baseball, he founded MD Gilbert, Inc.
MD loved sports and watched them and the sports talk shows all dutifully, but he loved to play golf most of all. He missed qualifying for the senior open one year by 2 strokes. He played golf or hit the driving range twice a day, every day for many years. He walked the course instead of using a cart. He was a founding member of the Kingwood Country Club—member number 82.
MD was a faithful Christian who knew of his eternal reward in heaven when his time here on earth was complete. He loved to watch birds, take long car rides through the hills of Tennessee, and hang out on the porch. He loved spending time with his wife and pups, Ruby and Winnie. He loved their nightly dinner with Brent, Amanda, James, and Emma.
MD was a member of Parkview Baptist Church; the love that he had for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the first thing people would notice on upon meeting him. He is experiencing that unwavering love and devotion first-hand in the presence of Jesus. The pain he felt on earth has now been washed away and he is enjoying eternity in the mansion God has constructed just for him hopefully on a golf course.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Irene Gilbert and brother, Mark Gilbert.
MD leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife Loretta Gilbert of Lewisburg, TN, Son, Sean (wife Michelle) of Celina, TX, Daughters: Kara of Firestone, CO; Kristi and husband Keith of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Kelly and husband Chris of Tomball, TX; grandchildren, Averi, Brynn, Kyla, Kaylee, Danika, Kendall, Kenley, Kaelyn and Cason Michael (his only grandson), Brother, Mickey Gilbert (wife Yvette), and numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to The Davidson’s, Brent and Amanda and their children, MD and Loretta’s heart family, for making our life so sweet and complete for the brief three and a half years we’ve been family. Your devotion to us has been unexpected, beautiful, and appreciated more than mere words can express. A very special thanks to his mother-in-law, Punkin for dropping everything to help Loretta take care of him and being the messenger for the family. You relieved a huge burden and are so very loved and appreciated. Thanks to Wesley and Brent for risking injury to be of service.
The memorial service will be held at Parkview Baptist church on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 4:00. There will be no interment.
Special thanks to Compassus Hospice team—Andrew Tomlin, RN, Jennifer Scribner, LVN, Missy Pederson, CNA and Nicole Hightower, SW. You all are so good at what you do and will have rewards in heaven for it. You brought love and peace to what could have been far more difficult than it was. Your love for the Lord shows in all you do. We pray as you continue in God’s work through hospice that you won’t grow weary in the well-doing as you provide a good death for your patients and soft place to land for their families. Even though our acquaintance has been brief, we love you all.
Please do not feel obligated to send flowers, your thoughts and prayers are what we need more than anything. If you do, however, choose to send a floral gift, please request that they be sent to the church on Saturday morning, or to our home if prior to that. The address for the church is 1380 W Ellignton Pkwy Lewisburg, TN 37091. The address for our home is 1352 Webb Road, Lewisburg, TN.
Thank you all so much for your love, support and encouragement through this difficult time.
Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
