Clyde Frank Gilmore

February 9, 1941 - July 26, 2016

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Clyde Frank Gilmore Jr., age 75, of Springfield, MO, passed away in his home. He was born February 9, 1941, in Greene County, MO, to Clyde (Frisco Railroad Conductor) and Martha (McEvilly) Gilmore SR.. He graduated from Strafford High School, in 1959 and later received his Masters Degree in Communications, from S.M.S. Frank worked 10 years for Mickey Owen, as a Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy. Frank made many friends there, including Mickey Owen, D.C. Dean, Freddy Cochrum, Darrel Flanagan and Les Ridenhour. He also served as sheriff of Conway and Clever MO. Frank was a former minister at Pitts Chapel and Pythian Avenue Methodist Churches. Frank was a lifelong ham radio operator, working several years for the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and spent several years teaching communications at SMS. In the 1960’s, Harry Reid, of Reid Radio set Frank up with his own shop on Brower Street , to buy, sell, and trade ham equipment. Frank had many friends in the ham radio hobby; Harry Reid, Bill & Linda Dye, Dorrell Schank (The Judge), Joe Hill, Don Mullins, and one of Frank’s great friends from SMS, a fellow professor, Harry Cook, and many others. Frank’s Ham Radio call letters were KOJPJ(Kilowatt-Zero-Japan-Pacific-Japan).
He was preceded in death by his parents,and his loving wife, Barbara (Nickle) Gilmore, who passed away on Nov. 17, 1975. He is survived by his two younger brothers; Lane David Gilmore, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Larry Michael Gilmore, ( retired Frisco/BNSF conductor) and his wife Kristine Gilmore, Springfield, MO, and his four nieces: Stacey, Jamie, Lisa and Kayla Gilmore.
No services are planned at this time, cremation is under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice. Services have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO. Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.

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I met Frank over the airwaves in 1958 when I was in 7th grade. My family lived in Joplin at the time, and every afternoon after school Frank, another young ham operator who lived near Pittsburg, Kansas, and I would get on our radios and chat. When my family moved to Springfield as I entered high school, Frank and I met in person for the first time on a Saturday on the then-busy Public Square. Our friendship continued through our shared hobby and as our career paths crossed — me as a newspaper reporter and him as a sheriff’s deputy, then later when we both were instructors at SMS. I was sorry to lose a mutual ham friend others have mentioned, Dorrell Schank, last year. They were very intelligent, interesting and fun fellows. In ham lingo, 73 Frankie….

Frank will always have a piece of my heart. I took him as a professor for my Communications class at SMSU on the condition he would keep our family friendship a secret from the rest of the class. This did not last long as our friendship became very obvious. I also got an “A” in Communications! I talked to Frank for a few minutes about a month ago and our conversation started as so many had before , with Franks jolly “Hi, Carey”. I love you Frank and am going to miss you greatly.

Sorry to hear about Frank’s passing. Have known Frank over 55 years. We had many “Ham Radio adventures”. I talked to Him regularly in Connecticut via radio when He worked for ARRL, also in Oklahoma City when He worked there. We both loved “muscle cars” but Frank’s favorite car was probably His little Mazda RX-7. He would probably have kept it to this day, if His knees hadn’t got where He couldn’t use the clutch. Frank will be greatly missed.

Sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. We were fellow Strafford High School students. During my senior year, we were cafeteria lunch buddies although Frank was a sophomore. I preferred to eat with this underclassman because he was so interesting. He talked a lot about his ham radio. Unfortunately, we lost track of each other after I graduated. Social communication being what it is today, it would have been easy not to lose track. Pity! God speed, Frank. You are a good soul.

My mom and extended family will greatly miss Frank. We have fond memories of his and Dorrell’s visits to our farm house in Sparta. I particularly remember hot summer nights filled with radio chatter, camera/audio equipment discussions (and occasionally arguments), a Uzi (yes, I seem to remember holding a Uzi Frank brought over when I was a youngster), Atari 800 games and Mongolian BBQ upon his attaining MS in Communications. The thing I miss most of all is the laughter the three of them would have and share. Rest in Peace, Frank and know you we loved you.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.

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Clyde Frank Gilmore