Larry L. Gilmore
GALLATIN — Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor Larry L. Gilmore died March 1. He was 77.
Gilmore was heavily invested in the work of Tennessee Baptists beyond serving as pastor. He was elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and later worked on staff at the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board). Gilmore remained active in ministry following retirement, serving as an interim pastor for churches throughout Tennessee and in Kentucky.
Gilmore was born in Evansville, Ind., on Jan. 28, 1948, and graduated from high school in Paducah, Ky. He went on to complete his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
With his entire adult life spent in ministry, Gilmore served as pastor of churches in Kentucky, Texas and Illinois before answering a call by First Baptist Church of Gallatin in 1976 to establish what became College Heights Baptist Church. In 1986, he guided the establishment of College Heights Christian Academy. Gilmore served College Heights as pastor for 27 years, his longest tenured pastorate, during which he was elected as TBC president in 1998. Following his long tenure as pastor, Gilmore served Tennessee Baptists as state director of evangelism for the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board) from 2003 until his retirement from full-time ministry in 2012.
Gilmore was preceded in death by his father, Don Gilmore, and his mother, Doris. He is survived by his wife, Linda, to whom he was married for 55 years; his children, Charis Brown (William) and Josh Gilmore (Michelle); his brothers, Don Gilmore (Debbie) and Dan Gilmore (Mary); and grandchildren Aiden, Feven, Hayes, Liam, Hallie and Nate. His memory will be cherished by Amanda Benedict (Ryan), Lexi, Owen, Hudson and Everleigh.
Many will remember Gilmore for his faith, passion to share Christ, generosity, compassion and for his love of family.
Visitation will be held at Alexander Funeral Home in Gallatin on Friday, March 7, from 3 to 6 p.m., and at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville on Saturday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, where Gilmore was a member, will host a service to celebrate his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8.
