Miami dentist remembered as leader

Ronald Wilson Gilbert, 82, of Miami, Oklahoma, who held several influential positions as a lay member of The United Methodist Church, died Sept. 17, 2017.
He was elected and served many times as an Oklahoma Conference lay delegate to the denomination’s General Conference and the South Central Jurisdictional Conference (regional).
He had chaired the Oklahoma Conference Council on Finance and Administration. He had been a member of the General Council on Finance and Administration and chaired its Investment Committee.
Gilbert also served on the board of directors of the jurisdiction’s Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, Fayetteville, Ark.
He had been deeply engaged in church life at Miami-First UMC, over time serving in most of the church officer roles, singing in the choir, and as a substitute organist.
His civic involvement also was extensive at Miami. He co-chaired the city’s 100th anniversary celebration. He was school board president and a leader in tourism efforts.
His career as a dentist extended 52 years, with the Oklahoma Department of Health and in private practice in Miami.
Among survivors are Ron’s wife of 59 years, Ann Gilbert.
Service was Sept. 23 at Miami-First.