Teddy Gilmer

Teddy Wade Gilmer, Sr., of Trussville, Alabama, died Friday, April 1, 2022. He lived his life according to Micah 6:8. He acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with his God. Preceded in death by his parents, Vista Mae McCraw Gilmer and Franklin LeeRoy Gilmer and his siblings, Bobbie Gilmer Morgan and Walter Thompson Gilmer, he is survived by his wife, Imelda Walrond Gilmer; his children: Danna Gilmer Coffey (Chip), Joy Gilmer Riddle (Hal), and Teddy Wade Gilmer, Jr. (Holly); his grandchildren: William Zachary Riddle (Elizabeth), Dr. Elijah Wade Riddle (Grace), Rev. Joseph Leslie Riddle (Ashley), Dr. Peter Gilmer Riddle (Shelby), Elizabeth Coffey Kelley (Ty), Hannah Riddle Rigg (Dylan), Lee Franklin Coffey, Lucas Dock Riddle, Julia Kathryn Gilmer, James Patrick Gilmer, and Joshua Boyd Gilmer; his great-grandchildren: Camilla Joy Riddle, William Watson Riddle, Emmaline Margaret Riddle, Lena Ruth Riddle,  Adelaide Elizabeth Riddle, Felix Joseph Riddle, Ida Zan Rigg, Lincoln James Riddle, and Frances Fleming Rigg.

Born to Vista Mae and Lee Gilmer on December 1, 1933 in Lamar County, Alabama, Teddy became the man of the family as a child when his father died from illness in his late thirties. His mother, a school teacher, then moved Teddy’s family to Birmingham. He met Imelda, the love of his life, at Hewitt-Trussville High School. Teddy attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, did an engineering co-op, participated in army ROTC and met dear friends Zan and Ed Cowan. He graduated with a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Tech on June 8, 1957.

Imelda and Teddy married on February 18, 1956, and moved to Maryland, following his graduation, where he fulfilled a two-year commitment in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Following his commitment with the U.S. Army, Teddy moved his family back to Trussville, and he began a career at American Cast Iron Pipe Company. Mr. Gilmer used his strong analytical abilities and business knowledge, along with a deep compassion for people, to lead with a firm and steady style that endeared respect from those he worked for and those that worked for him. He made lifetime friends through his career at ACIPCO, including Marie and Andre Moutrille of Pont-a-Mousson, France, who have remained close family friends. Mr. Gilmer spent more than 35 years at ACIPCO, working in the position of Works Manager at the time of his retirement in 1995.

He gave of his time and experience to serve God and his community through the Trussville First United Methodist Church that he loved dearly. Mr. Gilmer taught Sunday school for over 60 years and served in many different leadership roles at the church. He also served the Trussville community in many ways, including serving as President of the Hewitt Elementary PTA and the Trussville Library Board (with a stint as board chair) in the 1960s. For the last 15 years, Mr. Gilmer served on the Trussville Utilities Board, retiring from that role in November 2021. He was eager to learn and listen, and his soft-spoken demeanor caused others to listen when he spoke up. Mr. Gilmer’s service to the community was recognized with a proclamation from the City of Trussville last December.

After his retirement from ACIPCO, Papa leaned fully into spending time with Imelda, his growing family, and his friends. Papa loved his family well, and he expected us to always do the right thing. He led by example and took time to teach each one of us (sometimes when we asked for instruction and other times when he knew we needed it). Papa provided for his family in so many ways for which we will always be grateful. He lovingly walked us through major life decisions, providing advice and helping us make a plan. His retirement years were filled with family trips, golf with friends, time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His steady manner was evident even on the golf course with one friend commenting that “aww Teddy” was the worst thing he ever heard him say after a bad shot.

Married for more than 66 years, Papa diligently took care of Gran who took care of him back. Not only a gentleman, he was a gentle man. After many years of weekly golf games and yard work, he enjoyed spending more time in recent years cooking, going to the local farmers market and shopping at Aldi. Dear friends, Nancy and Jim McKinney, have provided immeasurable help and friendship. Our family has recalled several “God moments” with Papa over the last few weeks, and we are eternally grateful for all of the time we had to share with him.

We will celebrate Teddy’s life on Thursday April 7, 2022 at Trussville First United Methodist Church with a visitation from 10:00am to 12:00pm and a memorial service at 12:00pm. Rev. Joe Riddle will preside. His grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Ushers: Don Evans, Les Riddle, and Clint Wells. Honorary ushers will be members of the Friendship Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trussville First United Methodist Church, 120 North Chalkville Road, Trussville, Alabama 35173, or BigHouse Foundation, P.O. Box 230, Opelika, Alabama 36803.