Graham Gilbert
Graham Curtis Gilbert, age 82, of Marlton, New Jersey, died peacefully on June 2, 2023 and was welcomed by his Savior in heaven. Graham was born on November 1, 1940, to William and Jennie (nee Snoep) Gilbert. He grew up in Hasbrook Heights, NJ, with his brothers, Bill (Mary Lou) Gilbert and Tom (Shirley) Gilbert, and his sister, Ann (Ralph) McKendree. After high school he attended Wheaton College where he graduated with a degree in math. He went on to teach math at River Dell High School. He then furthered his education at Montclair State College with a masters in math.
He met his sweetheart, Barbara (nee Holt), while attending Young Adult Fellowship at First Baptist of Hackensack. They caught each other’s eye in the summer of 1963, were engaged the next December, and married August 29, 1964. Graham and Barbara enjoyed serving together throughout their marriage in Awana Clubs, Shepherds Sunday school, and choir, to name a few. The Lord led Graham and Barbara to Haddon Heights in 1974 to teach at Baptist High School. Graham eventually moved into the position of principal where he served until 1994. During his tenure at Baptist High, he again furthered his education with a masters in administration at Grand Rapids Baptist College. He is remembered well for the intentional role he played in the lives of many students as he walked the halls and ate in the lunchroom with his students and colleagues. He then taught at Cumberland Christian School until he retired from full time teaching. Retirement did not keep him from teaching as he continued to tutor and substitute teach at Haddon Heights High School until recently. Graham also enjoyed driving a tour bus for Sheppard Bus Company and officiating basketball for many years. Working on puzzles was also a pastime that he enjoyed even to his later days.
Graham and Barbara planned for vacations in the early years with their children Sandy (Bryan) Schroll, Curtis (Becky) Gilbert, and Linda (Andy) Kuyper. They traveled many miles and made innumerable memories. After the kids were grown, they started their cruising vacations. They cruised the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama, Nova Scotia, and Europe. They were always ready for a new adventure. He was very proud of his family, and he was always showing off pictures of his grandchildren: Laura, Alyson (Frank) Punzi, Matthew (Olivia), Madison, Kyle, Sawyer, Anna, Reagan, Brady, Chase, Logan, Abby, Emma, and Molly. He also celebrated his great-grandchildren, Lois and Graham (due in September). Though family, teaching, and traveling were his loves, his most important decision was his choice to accept Christ as his Savior when he was 12 years old with the help of a faithful Sunday School teacher at First Baptist of Hackensack. Proverbs 3:5-6 states that we can trust in the Lord, and He will direct our paths. Graham led his life by this promise. He and Barbara held tightly to the faithfulness of God and the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness†became a favorite. Graham knew that his eternity was secure in Christ. His life was spent living out that faith.
A private burial is planned with a public celebration of life service scheduled for July 29, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the service at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Baptist Church, 6 South Poplar Avenue, Maple Shade, NJ 08052. In lieu of flowers, please consider sharing a gift in Graham’s honor to New Life Island Camp, 990 River Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972, http://www.nli.org/support-us/donate/. Funeral arrangements under the direction of DuBois Funeral Home, 700 South White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ 08106. Condolences and memories may be shared at DuboisFuneralHome.