James Earl Gilmore,75, of Burlington, Kansas, passed away Monday May 4, 2026, at KU Medical Center.

He was born July 13,1950, in Dodge City, Kansas, one of the two children of James Todd Gilmore and Elizabeth Jean "Betty" (Wood) Gilmore.

Jim was raised in Topeka, KS, and graduated from Topeka High School. He attended Kansas State University for a year, but enlisted in the Navy on January 27, 1970. He did 6 patrols on the USS James K. Polk SSBN 645. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1979.   He then accepted a job at Wolf Creek nuclear plant.  In 1989, he graduated from Kansas State University with a  degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering  Technology.   He retired in 2015.

On January 20, 1970, he married Connie Marie (Whelan) Gilmore in Salina, Kansas.  They  had 2 "Navy brats", Michael and Stephanie, while stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. Alison was born in Emporia, Kansas.  They enjoyed raising their family in Burlington.   It was a blessing and brought them great joy to watch 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren grow up in the same community.

He enjoyed baseball, golf, bowling, Nascar, and camping.   He had many pets over the years, but in his retirement he had a special baby (dog), Lucy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister-in- law, and her son.

He leaves Connie, his Wife of 56 years; his children James Michael (Crissie) Gilmore, Burlington, KS, Stephanie (Bill) Reavis, Gridley, KS, and Alison Fink, Burlington, KS, 10 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren, his sister Lynn (Dan) Riedel, of Denton, TX; a number of nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Jim's life will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home, Burlington. Memorial contributions may be made to God's Storehouse in Burlington or to Friends of Coffey Health System at the Coffey County Hospital and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.