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Obituary from https://www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com/obituary/4272983


Dr. Royal Clarence Gilkey

June 07, 1919 - March 11, 2014



Dr. Royal Clarence Gilkey, 94, of Morgantown passed away Tuesday March 11, 2014 at Evergreen Assisted Living Center. He was born June 7, 1919 in Ithaca, NY, a son of the late Royal and Eunice Jackson Gilkey. Dr. Gilkey served his country during World War II as First Lieutenant with the U.S. Army Air Corp. He later attained the rank of Major as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. We have lost another WWII Warrior. Major Royal C. Gilkey took his final flight into the wild blue yonder. Destination -Known-Landing approved. Heaven is greeting the most kind and polite person that we have ever known. Dr. Gilkey's educational accomplishments began in 1941 when he earned an A.B. from Cornell University. He then went on and completed his graduate work with a M.A. from Columbia University in 1947 and his Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota in 1957. During his studies he won competitive scholarships and was elected academic honorable member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Gilkey's teaching career began as an instructor at Hamilton College in 1947 and at the University of Kansas City from 1948-1950. He was an Instructor and Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota from 1952-1957. Dr. Gilkey then went to West Virginia University in 1957 and worked as an Assistant Professor until he was promoted to Associate Professor in 1963. In 1967 he was again promoted to Professor of Political Science at West Virginia University where he worked until his retirement. During his educational career, he authored numerous abstracts, monographs, and articles for scholarly journals. Dr. Gilkey enjoyed swimming and diving in his spare time, and performed diving shows at the WVU Natatorium. He also enjoyed writing letters on a daily basis to stay in contact with family and friends. Dr. Gilkey was a member of the Cornell Law Association, American Political Science Association, American Association of University Professors and the American Civil Liberties Union. He is survived by a son Royal Clark Gilkey of Morgantown; extended family, Sue Davis and husband Gerald of Morgantown, Chad, Melissa, Larry and Gracie Gutermuth, Lori and Timmy Davis. Dr. Gilkey looked forward to his visits with Gracie Gutermuth and Ella Boyce. He enjoyed talking with the girls and counting the fish in the aquarium. He was especially grateful to Scott Mathess, Greg Boyce and Chris Boyce for their help with yard work and teaching of modern technology when transitioning from personally writing letters to using a computer. Dr. Gilkey was very fond of Larry Gutermuth, who would visit him weekly. When weather permitted, they played basketball, which Dr. Gilkey enjoyed very much. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mary S. Paul and Paula Nolan for their time and friendship they gave to Dr. Gilkey, and also, to the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living Center. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Ecton Gilkey. In honoring Dr. Gilkey's wishes cremation was arranged by Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home. Friends will be received at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home Friday March 21, 2014 from 11am until the time of memorial services at 12pm. Graveside services will follow at WV National Cemetery, Pruntytown, WV with full military honors.

Royal Phyllis Margurite Ecton 16 Jun 1950Minneapolis, MN. Phyllis (daughter of Henry Lorainne Ecton and Marguerite Clark) 03 Dec 1925 Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA; 20 Aug 1998Morgantown, Monongalia, West Virginia, USA; 28 Aug 1998West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Royal Eunice J Gilkey. Eunice about 1887 Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]