Eddie Joe Gilcrease, age 71, died Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Eddie was born May 22, 1952 in Dallas, Texas to Benton and Mamie Gilcrease. He spent most of his younger years living in Slidell and Shreveport, LA. Eddie loved to tell stories from the years he spent in Slidell and the times he spent with his many siblings on the bayous paddling around in pirogues looking for snakes and gators. He met his wife Brenda in Shreveport in 1971 and they married July 31, 1972. After they married, Eddie lived and worked as a welder on ships and offshore rigs off the coast of Louisiana. In 1984, he moved with his family to SLC, Utah where he raised his family while continuing work as a pipe welder working with Mark Steel Corporation and other steel fabrication corporations until he retired.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 52 years, Brenda, his son Eddie Bryan his wife Heather along with their children Julie and her
husband Tom, Mason and his wife Naomi, Justin, Gage, Veronica and Victoria. His daughter Amber and her husband Doug along with their children Jesse and his wife Avonlea, Nick and his wife Rebecca and Kayla and her fiance Jordan. His son Matt and his children Dustin, Eric, Ariana and her husband Taylor, Matthew, and Joshua. Additionally, he has three wonderful great grandchildren, Violet Saucedo, and Aurora and Madison Hall. He also leaves behind his brothers, Stan, Jimmy, Roy and his wife Debbie, Ray and his wife Betty, his sister Novie and her husband Brian Willis. Proceeded in death by his parents Mamie and Benton Gilcrease, brothers Bennon Ray, Duane and Loyd.
Eddie was a kind soul who loved the Lord with all of his heart, and was always trying to help others. He worked with charitable organizations and churches throughout his life to provide support to homeless and people in need. Finally, Eddie was devoted husband and a consummate family man. He spent all of his free time playing with and enjoying his children, grand children and great grandchildren. This great man’s legacy will live on for generations through these people.
Eddie and I was very close growing up , Paddled up and down the Bayou in our pirogue , Did so many other things together, As we became older had lots of fun with Eddie and Brenda , Eddie was always devoted to Brenda and his children . Memory of my brother Eddie will always be part of me and never erased , Eddie now is experiencing the happiness of Heaven.......
We are so sorry for your loss!! Our hearts are with you during this difficult time. We love you, my Sis, and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
Goodbye, my sweet-hearted brother. You will be missed by all who knew you.
He was the best grandpa in the world. We used to play poker all the time when I was a kid, and I lived with them on and off for years. We shared the same music tastes; every song he played on the radio, I absolutely loved. I remember when I was a kid, and he played 'Walk Right In,' and I just loved it so much; it made me so happy. We'd always talk about bands, music, the past, and old coins. He had so many coins he collected, and they were so cool. He was so fun to be around and such a positive person. He would always do things for anyone and never expect anything in return. He was an amazing grandpa and taught me so much. His favorite drink was root beer, haha, and he used to drive me to work all the time, and every time I'd always get him a root beer. I'm so blessed to have had such an amazing grandpa with such a kind and big heart, and I will cherish every memory I got to have with him for the rest of my life. Rest in peace, grandpa. My awesome grandpa. Love you so much, always and forever. You're with the Lord now, and I love you so much. Hugs.🕊️💞
Fly high, little bird. You will be missed. My soul misses our little talks. I feel your connection even when I close my eyes. My love for you will never fade away. Oh, I miss you so dearly, my sweet old pal. I know this is late, but I wish I could hug you now. I miss all the things we used to dance and sing about. Time goes by too fast, but you, and only you, will always be in my heart. Fly high, little bird. I miss our little talks. I love you to the end, and time will never tell. One day, I'll hug you tight. Until then, just know that I will always love you till the end.
My grandfather was not just an amazing and extremely funny person, but he was also a really nice and respectful person who would never betray you. He taught me basically everything I know today, and gave me the motivation I needed to get back into school. He was an amazing person and a really amazing person to his wonderful family. I wish I could have spent more time with him, and I was very lucky to have him in my life. I love you grandpa, may you rest in peace.”
I remember before I became a part of the family. Eddie would go to Millie burgers and buy me a hamburger, fries, and a drink. Right away he was very nice to me. Even after I wasn't part of the family any more. Eddie would be waiting outside when I was dropping off the kids. He would say, "how are you doing Michele?" Sometimes it would be just fine how are you, and other times he saw my tears. But he was my family 20 years. He saw my happy moments and he saw my sad, and you know what he still loved me. So I am grateful that I knew him. Grateful I had my kids in his family. I'm grateful I got to come to his funeral and see all of my family and laugh and cry. I'm grateful that Doug said, "Everyone here is family."
I'm grateful I got to hug everyone and us be able to share that we loved each other. And I'm sorry when I was your family though at that time I didn't talk so much as I do now. But life changes and we grow. Moments are precious every moment. It would have been nice if those moments had lasted forever. I'm grateful I got to spend so many years in your family as I did, as well as have my precious kids. Life and love is precious never forget it. -Michele
Sending Condolences to the family,if there is anything you need please let us know if we can help,Eddie loved his wife and family.and he was a good father to his kids and good grandpa to his grandkids they all felt that.May he rest in peace, always for now watching over his beloved family.until you meet in heaven again.God bless you all and comfort you.
The way I see family and how good a man was like Eddie Joe Gilcrease is how it says so eliquently in the scriptures: “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:15–20.)
Family is all of the branches from a tree. Some are born to the tree, some are grafted in, some break off. But true love never dies. The family grows as one good man who marries another like how Brenda and Eddie were married 52 years. Then they had three, and those 3 had more, and it's not the end those many will have many more. So we know the spirit of the man by his fruit. So great of love can never die because family will always be connected. I believe we chose our family and where we'd enter before we came to earth. There might be good days and bad days. I believe we should only see the good days, and learn from the bad days. But love and family are the most important. And I will always love you all you were my family, and are a part of my family. My children came from that love. And I am very grateful. I will always remember the good times that we all shared. I will love all of you always no matter what , you are my family. Michele Gilcrease