Percy L. Gilmer, Sr.

Percy Larnce Gilmer, Sr. was born November 24, 1949 in Bolton, Mississippi, to Lillie and Percy Gilmore. The county hospital misspelled Gilmore on Percy’s birth certificate to Gilmer and it was never changed.

On July 27, 2020 Percy passed away at the Joliet Area Community Hospice home; he answered the call from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Percy attended the Brownsville Grade School in Bolton, Mississippi. The family moved from Bolton, Mississippi to Joliet where Percy attended and graduated from Joliet Central High School in June of 1968. A month later on July 19, 1968, Percy started working at Caterpillar Tractor Company, Incorporated, Joliet Illinois. 

He was drafted to the United States Army in 1970 where he crafted the skills of HVAC. He served our country until 1972 receiving a Honorable discharge. Percy returned to work at Caterpillar Tractor Company, working as a Machine Specialist #2. While working at Caterpillar, Percy was a member of the SNCC; the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee; a civil rights group formed to give younger blacks more of a voice in the civil rights movement. The SNCC soon became one of the movements more radical branches. 

Percy was blessed to continue to work at Caterpillar through all the strikes and layoffs. He finally retired from Caterpillar after 36 years of service on December 31, 2004. 

Percy participated in the Veterans night celebration at Lockport Township High School receiving an award recognition and a dinner.

In October 1968, Percy’s first beautiful baby girl, Jarita Gilmer was born,  and in January 1971, his first handsome son, Jeffery Mahalick.

In 1973 he met and married Charlene Logan in the cold month of December. Percy and Charlene had three beautiful children; Larnce Charles in March of 1974, Tiffany Tinette in January of 1975 and Latrisa Renee in November 1979.

Percy later found love with Judy Diane McKnight in September 1989, they had another beautiful baby girl, Donielle Latrice. Percy found love once again in December 1994 with Loria Ware they had a handsome baby son, Davontae Damon. 

Percy’s greatest joy was his family. Percy never missed any of his kids or grandkids basketball games, track meets, wrestling matches, graduations or family celebrations. He has created memories that will last a lifetime. He enjoyed fishing, old cars and listening to jazz. Percy's last family celebration was on July 18, 2020, we had a grand–ole good time practicing social distancing even in the midst of COVID-19. 

Percy spent most of his life helping others.  He was a self-taught HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Technician, that was highly recommended.  If you needed your refrigerator repaired or freon in your car, Percy was the man to call. He was “the word of mouth” tech that would fix whatever you had broken whether you had money or not...so if you still owe him please leave your payment at the altar. 

When you drive down the street past Joliet Central High School where the Steelman statue and V (Victory) sign is on top of the main building, Percy did that. He was a wonderful loving brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend.

He was preceded in death by his father, Percy Gilmore, his mother, Lillie (Mason) Baines Gilmore, brothers John D., Eddie and Willie Baines, Jr., sisters Mosella Norfleet, Willie B. Graves and Earnestine Hill.,

Percy leaves to cherish his loving memories to his beautiful children, Jarita Gilmer of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jeffery Mahalick of Joliet, Illinois, Larnce (LaMonya)  Gilmer of Forest, Mississippi, Tiffany (Demetrius) Cooper of Lockport, Illinois, Latrisa Gilmer, Donielle Gilmer, Davontae Gilmer all of Joliet, Illinois; nineteen (19) grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his only sister, Nathine Blackmon of Jackson, Mississippi. Percy holds a special place in the heart of his companion of 26 years, Loria Ware (Percy Larnce, Jr.), two special friends and business partners, Mike Petry and Dennis Malushi of Joliet, Illinois; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.

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