PREVIOUS LPC PASTOR, Reverend Doctor L. Wilson Kilgore, a 40-year resident ofScottsdale,Arizona, passed away peacefully and surrounded by several family members after a brief illness on May 8, 2012 at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, and also by nine children from an original “yours, mine, and ours” family, Keith L. Kilgore and wife, Linda; Sharon S. Kilgore; Richard P. Bell, III and wife, Anne; Paul W. Kilgore and wife, Carol; Nancy Bell; Douglas A.Belland wife, Margery; Debra Ernst and husband John; Cindy Bell and husband Tom; and Kristie A. Kilgore, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.Wilsonwas especially proud that all nine of his children were college graduates, several with advanced degrees, and he rejoiced in their successful professional careers and family lives. When he and Arlene married in 2004, her children Michelle Hanna and son Michael Hanna with wife Lynn, and their children joined the family. He was predeceased in death by his wife, Sue, who died in 1961 and his wife, Lois Bell, who died in 2003.
Wilson was a well-loved Presbyterian minister, known for his passion for preaching, dedication to the Presbyterian Church, intense desire to share the news of God’s love to all, and to live life fully alive with an abundance of love and laughter. He was a horseman, spent early days of his life on a family dairy farm in the rolling hills ofNew York, and for over 50 years, he enjoyed fishing in the St. Lawrence River and the great outdoors at a family cottage in the Thousand Islands region ofNew York.
He graduated from Colgate University, Hamilton, New York in 1939 and from Colgate Rochester Divinity School with a Masters in Divinity in 1942. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree fromLincolnCollegeinIllinoisin 1955 and from his alma mater in 1964.
He began his pastoral calling at First Presbyterian Church, Hartford, Connecticut in 1943. His ministry continued in 1953 with a call to serve as senior pastor at Lakewood Presbyterian Church,Lakewood,Ohio.Wilsonwas next called in 1964 to serve as senior pastor at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church,Dearborn,Michigan. His last call before retirement was as senior pastor of Valley Presbyterian Church,Paradise Valley,Arizonain 1972. During his pastorate at Valley Presbyterian, attendance grew, staff increased to 20, and the church campus was expanded to accommodate the growing family-oriented membership. While serving at Valley, he supported the birth of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church inNorth Scottsdale. After his retirement in 1986, Valley Presbyterian named the new chapel after him in recognition of his service to God and the congregation. Lakewood Presbyterian recently honored him by dedicating a new addition as the “WilsonKilgoreEducationCenter.”
After retirement, Dr. Kilgore was named Pastor Emeritus at Valley Presbyterian. He accepted several interim assignments for churches that were searching for fulltime pastors, including: Third Presbyterian Church,Rochester,New York; First Presbyterian Church,Tulsa,Oklahoma; Kirk in the Hills,Bloomfield,Michigan, and two small churches in thePhoenixarea. He continued preaching and teaching up until the end of his life.
During his career, he was active in the Presbytery of Detroit, was faculty on the New England Synod Young People’s Conference, and was elected the Moderator of the Presbytery of the Grand Canyon in 1986. Early in his career he served on the Hartford Seminary Board of Directors. From 1978 to 1989 he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, where a scholarship was created in his honor.
A published author, he wrote the book When the River Runs Backward on the grieving process and articles for the Christian Century Pulpit, Church Management, Presbyterian Life, and the Master Sermon Series. Accomplishments also included development of television ministries at multiple churches including Valley Presbyterian and appearing on television to discuss family life. His late wife, Lois, was very active in Christian Education at Valley Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Denomination, authored Eight Special Studies (for Senior Highs) on Christian education, and The Benevolent Eye, a book of short stories on the inspiration of God as seen in the Kilgore-Bell family members and family horses and dogs.
The memorial service honoring Dr. Kilgore will be held at Valley Presbyterian Church,6947 E. McDonald Drive,Paradise Valley,Arizonaon June 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his honor to any of the churches where he served, Hartford Seminary or San Francisco Theological Seminary, Westminster Village (a Phoenix retirement center), or a charitable organization of choice.