A patriarch has transitioned. A father’s mission has been completed and now his final victory is won. Gilbert Charles Wysong passed away on June 23rd, 2024, at 5:04 p.m., surrounded by his three favorite ladies: his wife of 73 years, Eleanora L. Wysong, daughters Cathy Renee Wysong and Karen Louise Wysong.
Gilbert was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was the son of Gilbert Buckner Wysong and Gladys (Jeffries) Wysong. He is preceded in death by Grace Applewhite (sister), Paul Wysong (brother) and Anna Ruth Dunmore (sister). Leslie James Wysong (son), and Gregory Buckner Wysong (son).
Gilbert Wysong, AKA Sky, was a man of many talents.
After graduating from South Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 23rd, 1943, he enlisted in the US Army where he served in Europe for 3 years during World War II in Logistics. Upon being honorably discharged Gilbert pursued various career opportunities including working for US Steel.
He owned his own business of a trucking and fueling station, Gilbert was a dental hygienist, and trained with the FAA to be an air traffic controller. Gilbert served as a letter carrier for the US postal service for more than 30 years. Upon retirement at 55 he drove a school bus for the Penn Hills School District, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and after moving to Virginia he drove school buses for the Mecklenburg County School District in the Clarksville, Virginia community. Gilbert served the Clarksville, Virginia community by sitting on the planning commission board.
Gilbert was a man of principal and integrity who is documented by photographer, Charles “Teenie” Harris of the Pittsburgh Courier at the National Museum of African American History, and Culture in Washington DC. Along with his friend Henry Despert, they challenged a local Pittsburgh business owner for attempting to overcharge them for services. Gilbert Wysong was a man before his time, a forerunner to the to the civil rights movement of the ‘60s. Gilbert would truly give you the shirt off his back for those in need.
He was spiritually nourished by Wharton Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and member of the men’s choir. He also was a member of Thyne Memorial Presbyterian Church that contributed to his continual spiritual growth.
As a skilled carpenter, Gilbert’s skills were made evident when he physically built his first home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a fixer of all things. He was the fixer for his Penn Hills, Pennsylvania neighborhood as well as Clarksville, Virginia. Whether it be mechanically fixing something, providing residential improvements, or just changing a bike tire, he was known as “Mr. Fix It.” His knowledge was used to renovate and build homes in North Carolina and Virginia with Reggie Davis.
Gilbert Wysong leaves behind one granddaughter McKenzie Wysong Bentley, grandsons Garrett F. Charity Jr, Eric M Charity, Maxwell Chaves Ross, and Andrew Wysong Ross and great granddaughter, Carmen Charity. A memorial was scheduled for Sunday, July 14th, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the Clarksville, Virginia Community Center, 103 Woodland Drive, Clarksville, Virginia, 23927. All are invited to gather and celebrate the 99 years of Gilbert C. Wysong, A Great Man Among Men.
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