Just now this nightmare flashed across my MacBook screen. Please keep this good guy in your prayers as he fights to recover.
In 1965 a bunch of students from Asbury College traveled together to NYC to spend the Christmas holidays "Ringing Bells for the Sallies". Kim Gilson and I ended up being assigned to the Yonkers Salvation Army office along with two girls, including Evie (for whom I fell head-over-heels). Our supervisor was a young woman who moonlighted, without the knowledge of the Sallies, as a bartender. I have fond memories of our crazy - early mornings meeting commuters at stations in Scarsdale or Rye, late mornings and afternoons at various malls, then back to the rail stations for bell-ringing at the afternoon commutes, Then we would explore Manhattan after our duty hours till way too late in a beat-up black station wagon with the red shield of the SA on the side. We'd grab two or three hours of sleep then head back to the commuter stations for the next day of bell-ringing. That was my only time with Kim, but I've enjoyed reconnecting with him through Facebook nearly fifty years later. He became a Methodist minister and I an elementary teacher.
April 23, 2015
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| Reverend G. Kim Gilson, a Methodist minister for the past four decades, is a father, grandfather, son, brother and the host to two foreign-exchange students. Over the Easter holiday he and the boys headed south for what was supposed to be a relaxing, well-deserved vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. Just 30 miles shy of their destination, their car was hit and demolished by a drunk driver. The students sustained minor injuries but are okay. Unfortunately Kim is not. He was rushed to a trauma center in Myrtle Beach and has been in the ICU ever since. Kim has extensive injuries, including 22 broken ribs, fractures of both clavicles and fractures in his upper back. Kim’s team of doctors expects him to be hospitalized for months. He is more than 500 miles from his home in Wilmington, DE, alone in a hospital bed far from his support system of family, friends and parishioners. Kim’s road to recovery will be long, painful and expensive. A family member will need to be with him during his hospitalization, his medical bills are piling up and the travel and loss of work have put an incredible strain on his family. Comment Frank Norris I remember him from college (I was at Asbury College between 1963 and 1967) |
July 1, 2015
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this update. My Uncle left us to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday. We are all just devastated. He had come so far, and although he still had a long road ahead of him, we all thought he would be with us for many years to come. But, he suffered a heart attack and they could not save him.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support through the last 3 months since the accident. I will never be able to find the words to thank all those who donated to this "GoFundMe" account. Because of all of you and your generosity, we were able to move him back to DE and closer to family and friends a few weeks ago. We are so grateful for this and that our family was able to visit with him often before he went to be with the lord.
Please keep our family in your prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead. Again thank you all for your prayers and support over these last 3 months. It is truly what has and will continue to get us through this very difficult time.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support through the last 3 months since the accident. I will never be able to find the words to thank all those who donated to this "GoFundMe" account. Because of all of you and your generosity, we were able to move him back to DE and closer to family and friends a few weeks ago. We are so grateful for this and that our family was able to visit with him often before he went to be with the lord.
Please keep our family in your prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead. Again thank you all for your prayers and support over these last 3 months. It is truly what has and will continue to get us through this very difficult time.
Here is part of his obituary:
Obituary for Rev. Garnet Kim Gilson
Rev. G. Kim Gilson, 69, of Holly Oak, Wilmington, DE, went on to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, June 26, 2015. During his 48 years in the ministry, Rev. Gilson served more than 30 congregations in several states, most recently as pastor of Holly Oak Calvary United Methodist Church in Wilmington. Before that he was pastor of Immanuel U.M. Church in Crisfield, MD. Rev. Gilson lived a rich, eventful life, traveling to several continents and hosting a total of 27 foreign exchange students over nearly three decades. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies sports teams and enjoyed creative pursuits including painting, pottery, singing, and playing the piano and organ. He was a graduate of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky and received his Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Rev. Gilson is survived by his son, Stephen E. Gilson and wife, Nuria; daughter, Heather Gilson; mother, June R. (McGrath) Gilson; brother, Jeffrey S. Gilson and wife Debbie; sister, Elaine M. Gilson; two grandchildren, Matthew S. Gilson and Daniel E. Gilson, sister-in-law, L. Charlene Gilson; and ex-wife, Dorothy E. Gilson, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Clarence R. Gilson and brother, Keith R. Gilson.
