Gilbert O. Atkinson, Jr.

Gilbert O Atkinson, age 76, went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2024 after a valiant battle with cancer. Gilbert was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia to the late Gilbert and Rosalie Atkinson. Gilbert was the third of eight children and was a graduate of Parkersburg high school.  As the son of an accomplished musician, Gil first played the upright bass for his dad‘s band and later played bass guitar in various rock bands in high school starting with a rock band called “The Truth”. 

  Gilbert was drafted into the army in 1969 and in 1970 was sent to Vietnam, trained as a paratrooper and then became a parachute rigger where he was also involved in the defense of an attack on the US Embassy on the island of Okinawa. Gilbert was honorably discharged from the army in 1971 with a national defense service medal, a parachutist medal, marksman badge, and rigger badge. 

  In the early 70s Gilbert moved to Cincinnati to become the bass player for a band named “The Morning After”, made up of members from his hometown. The band was very popular in the university of Cincinnati music scene, and had a regular gig at a popular night spot called “Crows on Calhoun”. The band morphed into a band called “Play”, adding some new members. Sometime later, Gil decided to join the band ”Mickey Blizzard” that was made up of his family members. It was during his time in Cincinnati that he met a cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals, Monica Holmes, who became the love of his life. Gilbert and Monica gave their lives to the Lord and married in 1975 and moved to Gilbert‘s hometown where they were later baptized in Jesus name and raised six children and were together for 50 years before his death . 

  Gilbert followed in his father‘s footsteps as a brickmason, and was a member of the bricklayers union until his death. Gilbert also taught his three sons, three brothers, and two brother-in-law‘s to lay brick which gave them a lifelong profession. Gil was a member of a number of Christian bands, namely “Witness” and “Above and Beyond”, which included various family members: his sister Peggy(Read),brothers, Tony, Doug and Rick and brother-in-law, Charlie Read. Gil had a passion to write Christian music along with his wife Monica,  as they wanted to glorify God and have an avenue to witness about the saving power of  a relationship with Jesus. A number of their songs were recorded on a CD along with fellow band member Charlie Read, which they distributed to people who were interested in hearing their music. Gil and Monica have played and sung worship music, and some of their songs at churches they attended throughout the years. Gilbert was a man who loved Jesus and tried to hold himself to a standard that was worthy of Him, always aware of being a witness even on masonry jobsites. Gilbert was a hard-working, fun, loving, jovial man with a wonderful smile that drew people in. He was always willing to help his children and grandchildren whenever he could, whether financially, building and repairing things or working on his daughters cars. Gilbert loved to play with his children and nieces and nephews when they were young ,and grandchildren, playing songs on his guitar for them, making swords from wood or riding them in a truck bed, four wheeler or side-by-side down in the woods. 

  Gil will always be remembered as a man who loved God, was strong in his faith, and loved his family. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Monica, six children: daughter Amanda (Aurelius II), son Benjamin (Casie), son Bert or Gilbert(Patty), daughter April Gray (Jamie), daughter Sunny, who are all of Parkersburg, WV and son Levi ( Krystal) of Colorado.; 19 grandchildren: Tia, Zion, Kamon, Aurelius III, Auriah, Alecia, Benjamin, Payten, Parker, Emery, Riley, Levy, Alivia, Saharah, Noah, Isaiah, Tyreke, Steven Cruz, and Harlow and six great grandchildren: Killian, Maverick, Madilynn, Marshall, Remi, and Azariah. A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 5 PM at Life Church 3300 Dudley Ave.,26104.

A private cremation will take place at Mid-Ohio Valley Cremation Society.