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Joseph Edward “Joe” Gilmore III, 69, of Globe, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on March 7, 1954, in Globe to parents Patsy Gilmore (Whitlock) and Joseph Edward Gilmore II.
Joe spent his adolescence growing up and attending school in the small town of Globe. Upon his completion of high school, Joe decided to venture up north to attend college at NAU. After spending a couple years living in Flagstaff, he made his way back to his hometown to begin an apprenticeship as a concentrator heavy duty mechanic at the Pinto Valley Mine. This was the start of the 36 years he spent working at the mines, solidifying his career and reputation as a hardworking man.
During those 36 years, Joe was also busy creating a family of his own. On July 28, 1977, Joe was married to Olga Rivera and together they raised three children: Jaclyn Woods (Gilmore), Joseph Edward Gilmore IV and Audra Gilmore. Over time, their family continued to grow, and Joe and Olga became known as “Nana and Papa” to nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They celebrated 43 years of marriage before her passing in December of 2020.
Some of Joe’s passions included reading, fishing, hunting and being a Yankees fan. Joe was always taking trips to the lake to spend the day reeling in some fish. He would drag his kids along, and eventually his grandkids, too. He was an outdoorsman at heart, and he’d look forward to hunting with friends and planning camping trips with family. If Joe was home, you’d find him watching a baseball game or reading in his recliner. He truly loved to immerse himself in the world of a good book, and once finished he was on the hunt for his next read.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents Patsy Gilmore (Whitlock) and Joseph Edward Gilmore II, his wife Olga Rivera Gilmore, and his son Joseph Edward Gilmore IV. He leaves behind his brother Stephen Gilmore, his daughters Jaclyn Woods (Tom) and Audra Gilmore, his nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as many other family members and friends. Joe’s services were held on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami. Mass was held at 10 a.m. with a reception following.
Assisting the family: Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
