Kyle E. Gilbert

SPC Kyle E. Gilbert, age 24, of Buford, GA passed away Monday, September 21, 2015 while serving in the U. S. Army in Afghanistan.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mary Jane Gilbert, Cecil Sherwood Gray and step grandparents, Claude and Louise Holman.  He is survived by his father and stepmother, Ralph and Sandra Holman Gilbert, Buford, GA; mother and stepfather, Cecilia and Clyde Tate, Winder, GA; brother, Myles Gilbert, Buford, GA; sisters, Sasha Ashley, Milledgeville, GA, and Becky Bailey, Cleveland, GA; grandmother, Jean Ann Carrington; stepbrother, Chris and Tonya Manning, Cobbtown, GA; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Kyle was born September 29, 1990 in Lawrenceville, GA.  He was a 2009 graduate of Mill Creek High School.  Kyle was a 10^th Mountain Division (L1) Soldier with the 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Infantry Regiment (2-14 IN), 2^nd Brigade Combat Team.  Kyle’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.  Kyle had completed the Combatives Level 1 Course and the Combat Life Savers Course.  Lt. Col. Michael Kovacevic commented “Specialist Gilbert was an exceptional Soldier and junior leader in our battalion.  He met every mission and challenge with contagious enthusiasm and vigor.  His memory will forever remain with those who served with him.”  Kyle enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved being around his family and friends.  Funeral services will be held Friday, October 2, 2015 at 11 o’clock a.m., in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Dr. Jim Ferguson officiating.  Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA, with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Flowers accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Fallen at www.friendsofthefallen.org, Fisher Foundation, Inc. at www.fisherhouse.org or U.S.O. at www.uso.org. 

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by:  Junior E. Flanigan, Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.