Carl P. "Sonny" Gilbert

Carl Porter Gilbert, Jr. affectionately known to all as "Sonny", 82, died peacefully Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Country Gardens PCH, Union City, Ga., following a long bout with cancer and Alzheimer's. He is preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Joan (Murrin) Gilbert. He is survived by his son Lon (Hillary) his daughter, Laurie (Matthew); granddaughter Samantha; and great grandchildren Harrison and Emmett. He is also survived by Joan's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all of whom he treated as his own and loved very much. Sonny was born and raised in Newnan, Ga., and is the son of Carl and Dorris Gilbert. Sonny lived all over the United States before settling in Macon and Crawford County to raise a family. He was a proud graduate of Newnan High School class of 1959. Directly after high school, Sonny attended Georgia Military Academy before joining the Marine Corp. After his service time he attended University of Tennessee to complete his bachelor's degree. Sonny worked as a football coach, teacher, insurance agent, and started a family in his years after college. Sonny worked for many years in historic home renovation and recovery. In later years he drove gravel trucks and worked as a radio dispatcher for the same company. During his work years, he worked many side jobs doing things that he loved. He was an accomplished auctioneer, horse trainer, carriage driver, equestrian judge, and HAM radio operator. Sonny finally settled in Crawford County with his second wife Joan. Sonny took great pride in a hard day's work, and in all his years, he always took pride in his ability to outwork others half his age. Sonny's hobbies even became work for him, turning his talents with HAM radio into volunteer work with the ARES-ARRL civil emergency services. Sonny had many close friends developed through this love of amateur radio. Sonny had a passion for HAM radio and on weekends worked to earn many licenses associated with this hobby. He frequently took his wife on trips to amateur radio functions and getaways. He was fun-loving and quick with a bad joke. He also enjoyed shooting, NASCAR races, tinkering, little league baseball, and by all his own accounts was an expert in almost everything. Sonny was very proud of his family and extended family, often bragging of their accomplishments to friends or other family members. He could spin a story about a simple event into a grand tale of adventure with you as the hero or himself. A trip to town for biscuits would quickly be turned into something comical or exciting by the time he returned home. He will be missed by the many friends and family he gathered over his lifetime. The celebration of Sonny's life is Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 3:00 PM in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson Street, in Newnan. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 PM until service time at the funeral home. The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to local rescue www.dollygoodpuppy.org/donate/, or to the leukemia & Lymphoma society,www.givenow.lls.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Carl P. "Sonny" Gilbert

July 16, 1941 - May 16, 2023