Jimmie “Jim “Allen Gilstrap, age 81, went to his heavenly home June 15, 2020, with his loving wife by his side. Jim was born at the family home in Coffeyville to Raymond and Mary (Toliver) Gilstrap.
Jim attended school in Coffeyville- first at Garfield Elementary (1st-6th grades), then Roosevelt Middle School (7th-9th grades), then Field Kindley High School for the 10th and 11th grades. Jim later earned his GED at the Naval Night School in Oxnard, California. Jim formed many close friendships while in school. His best friend was Chuck Donaldson whom he met when they were in the 5th grade. They later included Gaila in their little group when they met her in eighth grade.
Jim joined the Navy at age 17, in September of 1956. After boot camp Jim was stationed at Moffett Field from 1957-1959. Jim shipped out on the Hornet, a CVA 12- Attack Carrier, for a year-long Far East Cruise. They visited various ports - including Japan and Hawaii. Jim received his honorable discharge in February of 1960.
Upon his return to Coffeyville, Jim went to work for Stapleton’s Products for five years. He then began his long term employments at Pressure Cast Products on March 12, 1965. Jim worked as the foreman in the Multiple Pattern Match Plate Dept. He retired in June of 2008 after 43.5 years.
Jim married the love of his life - Donna on October 14, 1990 (the eight year anniversary of their first date). As a couple, they enjoyed time with their family, dancing, fishing, visiting flea markets/rummage sales, and watching the Western Channel. Jim loved his family. He was a wonderful and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather- Papa to all his babies. Jim loved kids and they LOVED him!
Jim is survived by his wife Donna, his three children – Lorri and Marty Cornelius, Todd and Jackie Gilstrap and Lisa Foster (Jim Wright). His grandchildren: Cooper Cornelius (Jenny), Kylie and Colt Booth. Keegan and Courtney Cornelius, Shelby Gilstrap (Steven), Colten Foster (Zach), Cami Foster (Jamar), Caden O’Neal. His great grandchildren: Jackson and Emma Booth, Sawyer, Baxter, and Clementine Cornelius, and Gracie Cornelius, and JaiLeigh Wilcher. His Mother in Law- Reta (Sanders) Fields, Sisters in law- Susan Mattix, Joyce Tarter (Steve), and Katherine Gilstrap, brothers in law – Albert Sanders and Steven Sanders. Jim had many nephews and nieces (including greats) that he dearly loved. His cousins- Mary (Frank) Mansfield, Linda (Jake) Lewis, and Teddy Toliver also survive him.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents, sisters Patricia Caulkins and her husband Ronald, Virginia Tremain and her husband LeRoy, and his brother, Ivan Gilstrap, his father in law- Albert Sanders, brother in law- Mel Sanders, and cousin – Billy Toliver.
Memorial service will be held at the Fairview Veterans Memorial Patio on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 10 am with Pastor Doug Mund officiating. Inurnment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, KS from 5 to 7pm on Monday, June 22, 2020. Social distancing is encouraged for the safety of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made payable to the Boys and Girls Club of Coffeyville, contributions may be left in care of care funeral home. To leave a message of condolence visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
