Friends and family were sad to see the passing of Joseph Clay Gilbert this last May. He was a friend to many who always enjoyed his company. He was born on December 24, 1939, to Robert and Essie Gilbert as the third of eight children. He often talked about growing up in Promise Land, Tennessee and how that included Black Union Veterans after the Civil War.
Joseph attended elementary school in Promise Land and graduated from Hampton High School in Dickson, Tennessee.
After two semesters at Tennessee State University, he withdrew and served in the United States Air Force. Prior to his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he was stationed in San Francisco. He then decided to make the California Bay Area his home. He said, back in the day, he was one of the hippies who got married in Golden Gate Park.
Shortly after he settled in Humboldt County in the early 1970s, Joseph began woodworking as an artist. Joseph was a man of many trades; doing house painting, landscaping, and home repairs for businesses and homeowners. For a few years he provided regular maintenance at the Bayside Grange #500.
Over the years he could be found having a beer at Toby & Jack’s and the Sidelines. Or he would be seen sitting at his regular table with his friends at the Arcata Senior Lunch Program at the Community Center. He was an enthusiast of many sports and kept up on politics. He could be seen at the North Coast Stand Down and Vets for Peace events.
Joseph is survived by sisters; Serena, Della and Linda and brother William and his son Anthony Gilbert, daughter Jarcasse Gilbert and her children Kwazaye Gilbert and Jaiden Gilbert, daughter Sidonia Aguilera and her children Mateo Aguilera and Benico Aguilera, as well as many nieces and nephews Joseph Gilbert was cremated and his ashes returned to Promise Land, Tennessee. www.facebook.com/groups/962540847164177/?_rdr
This article appears in Jul 24-30, 2025.