Obituary
Theodore Joseph “Ted” Gilbert of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, died Monday, February 27th. He was born April 19, 1954, in Salina, Kansas, to Richard and Alfrieda Gilbert.
He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1972, Marymount College in 1976, and earned his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri in 1982.
Ted was a clinical social worker for 47 years. He worked with youth, families, and served many people recovering from drug and alcoholic addictions. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, enjoyed coaching his children and many other youth in summer ball, was a ‘counselor’ to all, and gave of his time helping family, friends, and neighbors with odd jobs, yard work, and counseling advise, expecting nothing in return. He was most proud of wife and children and the 46 years they were married.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen of 46 years, 4 children: Jared Straight of Holden, Missouri, Abe Gilbert of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Jonathan Gilbert of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Adriana Gilbert (Joe) of Kansas City, Missouri. Sister, Ellen Farrar (Steve) of Plain City, Ohio and brother, John Gilbert (Bev) of Newton, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Gilbert.
Visitation will be at Langsford Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 3, followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Our Lady of the Presentation with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, Missouri.
Memorials may be sent to the Knights of Columbus Council # 6819 at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church, 130 NW Murray Rd. Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
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Lee's Summit, MO 64081
Ted, from the moment we met you and Kathy we knew we had met some life long friends. The many memories we have of our cul-de-sac parties, New Years parties, house painting, building things, etc. You were always there for a shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend. You were loved by all of us and you will be missed so much. Kathy and family, you will always be a part of our family and we love you. Please let us know if you need anything. Bruce, Sherri, Samantha, and Jessica.
Ted, you were a mentor and a friend. May the Lord open paradise to you. May he look kindly upon you and bring comfort to those you love.
Ted, Joe and I had many good times with you and Kathy at St Francis. I still remember the times you and Joe took the boys camping and Kathy and I painted your house. Joe left this earth 10 years ago. Now he will have a buddy to join him. May you rest in peace…
Mary…
Where do I begin……Ted had such an amazing personality. He always had a smile that often went with some genius, witty response. I enjoyed my time working with him. I always knew that I could go to him with any question and he would have an answer and a joke. I have heard stories from countless people who he has helped. Each one said “I may not have liked what he had to say at the time, but later I realized how right he was.” Not a day went by when he didn’t talk about his lovely wife Kathy (“she who must be obeyed”) and their beloved fur-kid Stanley. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Kathy and family, the multitude of friends, and all those who have learned something valuable from Ted. I will remember you always
I will always remember Ted fondly from our time together in grade school, baseball, and high school. He was a hard worker, straight shooter, and dependable friend.
May the grace of God be with you and know that my husband, Lyle, and I pray for all of Ted’s family. I hope it can give you just a little bit of peace knowing that Ted touched many lives, likely saved lives, in the work he did with Mirror Inc. I have known him for a long time, but not as much as I have worked with him over the past year. He truly is a fine man of God and will take what I learned from him and pass it on. You will be missed.
So sorry to hear about your brother. I lost my sister last summer. Losing a sibling is really hard. Love and prayers from Tom and I.
Kathy and family, we are so very sorry for your lose. We have many memories of seeing you all on your culdesac when our daughter Michelle and family lived next door to you all. What caring and good neighbors you were to all. Ted has now received his reward for all his goodness and kindness and generosity to all he met. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. Many prayers and blessings. God Bless You All.
Kathy, Jared, Abe, Johnathon, and Addie,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of you. We remember all the Sunday morning pancake breakfasts and both of you helping us to adopt our daughters from Mexico. Ted had such a funny and loving heart. I know he will be greatly missed. May each of you feel comfort from our Lord during this difficult time.
Our love and prayers,
Dan, Theresa, Irene, Esthela and Anna Julkowski
Ted was also so a mentor to me something that I’m sure that will be repeated over and over. Most importantly a confident and friend and a man that believed in paying it forward.Ted you are one of the good ones. My deepest sympathies to the family and my friend you are missed.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Prayers and condolences
Ted,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, laughter, orneriness and heart to everyone. You shaped my career and impacted me during one of the roughest times of my life. Thank you for taking a chance on me as a counselor. I know you and Stanley are having the best of times!! Prayers and condolences to your loving family.
I can’t quite believe I will never cut your hair again. The tears we cry are for those of us left behind! I am sorry for all of us that lost Ted but most especially his family! Rest in peace Ted!
I knew Joe from his brother John and we became good friends. We were always teasing each other about who was the better Gilbert. Haha. He was a good man and will be missed by all. May he RIP.
Ted Gilbert. Dedicated family man. Funny guy. Consummate addiction counselor. Trusted work colleague. Friend.
I had the great pleasure of working with Ted for several years while at Mirror. He was a leader and mentor of many people starting their careers in the addiction treatment business. His presence at Mirror–just like his presence with his family and friends–will be sorely missed. A little bit of the joy has gone out of the universe with Ted’s passing.
Condolences to spouse Kathy, brother John, sister-in-law Bev and other family mourning Ted’s loss. Know that he made a huge difference in a lot of lives. Blessings to you all.
Dear Kathy and family,
I am so sad by the loss of your husband and father. May God bless all of you with peace and memories to get you through these early days. May Ted rest in peace in the arm of the Blessed Mother.
John and Pat Scott
Ted, I cannot begin to put into words the impact you have made in my life both professionally and personally. Everything I know about this work is because of you. You have been with me from the very beginning of my career. It was a difficult enough adjustment to go from having your support 5-days per week to only one day a week. I have never done this without you. I have never had to do this without you. I have always had “our licenses” to fall back on— and while I’m struggling right now to picture how I will do this without you, I want you to know I am grateful for you and everything you have taught me over the course of the past 7-years. You have truly made me the therapist and social worker that I am today. You will be greatly missed.
My deepest condolences Kathy and all of your family. May God comfort you during this time of sorrow. Keeping you in my prayers.
SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF OF TED WILL BE THINKING OF YOU LOVE Eddie WENDLETON
When we bought our first house, moving to LS, Ted and Kathy lived next door. We were young marrieds with a new son, and regardless of our feeling like we “knew enough to get by” Ted immediately introduced himself and offered to help with handyman projects. But way beyond that, they both helped us cope and adjust to our new life. We often talked on their back deck about work, God, the best iced tea, the best beer, kids, families, on and on. He helped teach us about the value of neighbors, adult friendship and love, how the goods and bads of the world still had to be dealt with. Just them extending their friendship and love was so supporting, modeling the life and lessons of Christ. And Ted always had a great sense of humor about things, often reducing down to manageable levels whatever snags we encountered.
I interviewed with Ted and noticed he had a footstool with a Basset Hound embroidered on it and asked if he had a Basset. He said he did have one. I said I did too. His next statement was, “What did you name yours?” I said, “Otis.” He said, “I named mine Stanley.” It was a 2 hour interview for an internship position. I knew that we would be fast friends.
Ted taught me to be a counselor, even though he was a social worker – a dig on each other as long as we our relationship lasted. His example given to me will be hard to follow. I am super grateful for that example and the service that he gave me as his protege.
I will miss him dearly.
Dear Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you & your family during this difficult time. ❤️🙏Valerie Jones
Ted was a great friend of mine. I met Ted when we were working for a painting company. We became instant friends. Kathy also became that instant friend. I really enjoyed just being around them. I went over to their house on many occasions to help them with projects and he always made it seem like fun rather than work. There are so many good times and too numerous to mention all. I will greatly miss him.
Brad
I still can’t believe my brother is gone from this earth. We grew up together, we played together and we supported each other during the tough times. He did more supporting of me than I did of him. He was a man of strong character. We had so many good times together. I looked up to him and when times were tough for me he never let me down. He always supported me, gave me solid advice on how to live my life and pointed me in the right direction. So many good times together. We went to a ton of Royals games together. One of the times that is etched in my memory is when I got lucky and got tickets to Game 6 of the 1985 World Series and the first person I called was my brother. We sat in the “Bob Uecker seats” on the first base side and watched the replays on his 7 inch black and white TV. We had a blast. He did so many good things in his life. He married the woman that he loved and was able to be a loving husband to his wife for many years and a loving Father to his children for many years as well. He helped countless people in his professional life as well. HE WAS A GREAT BROTHER. May he Rest In Peace and may perpetual light shine upon him. I will always love you. John