Elmo Gilder

Elmo Gilder Sr., 91, of Casa Grande died on March 14, 2014, at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God. The celebration of life will follow at 11.

Mr. Gilder was born on June 4, 1922, in Crockett, Texas, and was a son of Jim and Eliza Hunter Gilder. He was a World War II Army veteran who qualified as a sharpshooter and received an honorable discharge, and he would celebrate his birthday on Flag Day, June 14. He married the love of his life, Johnnie Mae Mackey, and had 10 children. He worked for Jim Grady Tire Company for 38 years and opened his own tire shop in 1989, calling it Elmo & Johnnie’s Tires. He serviced farmers in the area and as far away as Yuma and Friendly Corner.

His hobbies included fishing, driving his children and grandchildren to school and taking his children to see parks in Arizona, having picnics there on weekends.

Survivors include three sons, Elmo Gilder Jr. of Mesa, Johnny Ray Gilder of Wortham, Texas, and Jim Gilder of Casa Grande; six daughters, Gloria J. Pennington of Madisonville, Texas, Mary Ann Gilder of Phoenix, JoAnn Hall of Casa Grande, Edna Mae Gilder of Mesa, Darlene Harris of Phoenix and Ardessa Groves of Maricopa; 34 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years; a son, Eugene Gilder; two brothers, Walter and Timothy Gilder; two sisters, Sara Gilder and Louise Gilder Hall; and two grandchildren, Adaisha Gilder and Brian D. Harris.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.