John Ernest Gilmore, Jr., 75 of Hereford, Texas passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in Hereford.

John was born on December 2, 1948, in Marlin, Texas to Ernest and Tillie (Pavelka) Gilmore. He has been a resident of Hereford since childhood and was a Hereford High School Graduate. John was drafted into the Army during Vietnam; where he was stationed in Germany and worked as a radio man, proudly serving his country for three years. After the service, John owned and operated Hereford Cabinet, until 2018; Hereford Cabinet was started by Ernest and John Gilmore and John kept the business going long after his father's passing in 2006. John married Sherry (Allsup) Gilmore in September of 1976.

John was the ultimate scholar; he loved to learn and had an enormous vocabulary. He loved astronomy, history, was a huge military buff, and a professional wildlife photographer. He also loved his toys which included remote control tanks, model airplanes, and rockets. John enjoyed teaching and sharing his knowledge of rockets with children and others and visited many local schools to build and blast off rockets. John was a big kid at heart, full of joy and silly, always making others laugh. He was a member of the Confederate Air Force, the Large Display Rocket Ship Club, and a poster child for the Members Only Club, wearing their jacket proudly. John was also athletic, loved sports, and was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers Fan.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Sherry Gilmore of Hereford, Texas; children, Alex Gilmore and wife Leslie of Caddo Mills, Texas, Paul Gilmore of Hereford, Texas, Ronda Moore of Bossier City, Louisiana, Gary Taylor and wife Rhonda of McKinney, Texas, and Becky Herridge and husband Patrick "Fuzz" of Gail, Texas; grandchildren, Chase Gilmore, Tony Moore, Christi Moore, Zac Taylor, Riley Herridge, and Savannah Davis; and numerous great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Tillie Gilmore, and grandson Spencer Taylor.

Arrangements and Cremation Services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home.