John Douglas Gilmore III's Obituary
John D. "Johnny" Gilmore III, 78, a retired landscaper, died unexpectedly at home in Delray Beach, Florida, on October 4, 2025, after a fall.
Johnny was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Beverly Gladstone Gilmore, on May 23rd of this year. On April 25, 1947, in Washington DC, Johnny was the firstborn child of Doris Wood Gilmore and John D. Gilmore Jr. His upbringing in their loving Bethesda, Maryland home with younger siblings Ann and Mark was idyllic.
He was a 1965 graduate of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda where he was a member of the Glee Club and active in gymnastics. In 1971 Johnny married Bev, the love of his life to whom he remained devoted until her last breath.
While he had no formal training as a designer, either interior or landscape, from the time he was a youngster rearranging furniture at home, Johnny took great pleasure in beautifying, adorning, and embellishing his surroundings. He had an eye for art, antiques, and flowers.
For more than 30 years, he worked as a landscaper, charged with maintaining the grounds for Montgomery County Parks in Maryland. Johnny and Bev were social, consummate entertainers who loved hosting and attending parties. They loved dancing and travel.
Nostalgic for his childhood vacations at the beach in Ocean City, Md., 20 years ago the couple bought a condo there that became known as "Bev and Johnny's bed and breakfast" where they eagerly hosted guests and family reunions featuring late nights with his favorite card game - Rook.
Johnny and Bev retired to become members of the 55 plus community at Rainberry Bay in Del Ray Beach where he was active in the tennis club, the bowling league, and at the card table. Throughout their life together, Johnny and Bev were devoted to their canine companions and developed a special fondness for dachshunds.
They had several of them over the years including the last, faithful "Zoey" who remained Johnny's constant companion and great comfort after the passing of his wife. Johnny was also predeceased by his mother Doris, father John, younger brother Mark, and cousin Mary Jane Shilling.
He is survived by his sister Ann Peters Gilmore of Jamaica Plain and Mashpee, MA, his niece Amanda Peters Gilmore of Los Angeles, CA., and cousins Peggy Shilling of Pennsylvania, Kenneth Shilling and Robin Gilmore of Maryland, Jake and Jeffrey Dieffenbach of Missouri and Michael Dieffenbach of California.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 20, at 10:15 am at the Beth Israel Delray Chapel, 5808 West Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Following the Celebration of Life, there will be a brief service at 11:30 AM at the Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 Seacrest Blvd. in Lantana when Johnny will be entombed alongside Beverly.
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