Obituary for Gilbert Anthony Abeyta
“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." These words from Tyrion Lannister rang true for Gilbert from his birth to Joe and Martha until the end.
Gilbert was born in Colorado Springs as the youngest of nine children. His spirit always led him to try hard to keep up with his older brothers from school to sandlot football. Many of the friends he made as a child stayed with him for life, becoming his brothers and sisters from other mothers.
Before he was old enough to enlist on his own, Gilbert knew he wanted to enlist in the military. When he was finally old enough to serve his country, he served proudly in the United States Navy. Throughout his service, he traveled to places that gave him plenty of stories to entertain friends and family about his adventures.
After Gilbert’s service with the Navy, he took a job with the United States Postal Service where he met Deborah, his wife and partner in crime. He took on four children and made them his own. Together they all traveled around the country, but most of all Las Vegas.
Many of the Vegas vacations brought the entire family together. Gilbert always loudly sang “Viva Las Vegas” whenever they passed a sign listing Las Vegas on the drive. While he was in Las Vegas, he always stuck to a $20 gambling limit. He cared more for the food and shows, especially at the Star Trek Experience where he never finished a Captain T. Kirk on his own.
Of all of his travels, Gilbert most treasured visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. He wanted to visit because of his service in the Navy. While he was in Hawaii, he not only somberly visited Pearl Harbor, but also proudly took the time to visit other military sites. He enjoyed being able to share that experience with his family while getting sand between his toes and feasting on a suckling pig.
Gilbert shared many hobbies with family and friends, including his passion for music, especially The Beatles; concerts, he went to, too many to count; the Denver Broncos, the ultimate family peacekeeper; books from many genres; history, he was a lifelong learner; movies ranging from the good, bad and in-between; fishing, especially with his daughters; hunting with friends; camping with his family and friends.
John and Paul said it best when they said, “All these places had their moments/With lovers and friends, I still can recall/Some are dead and some are living/In my life, I've loved them all.”
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Deborah; his daughters, Stefanie, Maggie, Lena, Tiffany; his brothers, Leroy, Bob, Henry, Patrick, Eddie; his sister, Lucille; his sister-in-law, Cecilia “Mary”; and his grandchildren.
Gilbert is preceded by his parents, Jose, Martha; his brothers, Raymond, Leonard; nephew, Warren; and dogs, Stimey, Shadow.
A Funeral Service and burial will be held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Wounded Warrior
Website: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=4320
Phone: 855.448.3997
- OR -
Silver Key
Website: https://www.silverkey.org/donate/
Phone: 719-884-2300
Mail: SILVER KEY SENIOR SERVICES
Administrative Offices
1625 S. Murray Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
Gilbert was born in Colorado Springs as the youngest of nine children. His spirit always led him to try hard to keep up with his older brothers from school to sandlot football. Many of the friends he made as a child stayed with him for life, becoming his brothers and sisters from other mothers.
Before he was old enough to enlist on his own, Gilbert knew he wanted to enlist in the military. When he was finally old enough to serve his country, he served proudly in the United States Navy. Throughout his service, he traveled to places that gave him plenty of stories to entertain friends and family about his adventures.
After Gilbert’s service with the Navy, he took a job with the United States Postal Service where he met Deborah, his wife and partner in crime. He took on four children and made them his own. Together they all traveled around the country, but most of all Las Vegas.
Many of the Vegas vacations brought the entire family together. Gilbert always loudly sang “Viva Las Vegas” whenever they passed a sign listing Las Vegas on the drive. While he was in Las Vegas, he always stuck to a $20 gambling limit. He cared more for the food and shows, especially at the Star Trek Experience where he never finished a Captain T. Kirk on his own.
Of all of his travels, Gilbert most treasured visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. He wanted to visit because of his service in the Navy. While he was in Hawaii, he not only somberly visited Pearl Harbor, but also proudly took the time to visit other military sites. He enjoyed being able to share that experience with his family while getting sand between his toes and feasting on a suckling pig.
Gilbert shared many hobbies with family and friends, including his passion for music, especially The Beatles; concerts, he went to, too many to count; the Denver Broncos, the ultimate family peacekeeper; books from many genres; history, he was a lifelong learner; movies ranging from the good, bad and in-between; fishing, especially with his daughters; hunting with friends; camping with his family and friends.
John and Paul said it best when they said, “All these places had their moments/With lovers and friends, I still can recall/Some are dead and some are living/In my life, I've loved them all.”
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Deborah; his daughters, Stefanie, Maggie, Lena, Tiffany; his brothers, Leroy, Bob, Henry, Patrick, Eddie; his sister, Lucille; his sister-in-law, Cecilia “Mary”; and his grandchildren.
Gilbert is preceded by his parents, Jose, Martha; his brothers, Raymond, Leonard; nephew, Warren; and dogs, Stimey, Shadow.
A Funeral Service and burial will be held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Wounded Warrior
Website: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=4320
Phone: 855.448.3997
- OR -
Silver Key
Website: https://www.silverkey.org/donate/
Phone: 719-884-2300
Mail: SILVER KEY SENIOR SERVICES
Administrative Offices
1625 S. Murray Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80916