West Barnet, VT – Gilmore Kenneth Somers, 99, of Mosquitoville Road, died Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the St. Johnsbury, VT Health & Rehabilitation Center with his family comforting him at his bedside. Gilmore was born in Peacham, VT, July 8, 1917, a son of Lee and Caroline (Morrison) Somers. He started his education in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Peacham Academy in 1936.

Gilmore helped his father and mother on the Green Bay Farm until he became a woodsman. He bought lumber tracts and cut off the wood, hauling the logs and pulp with his own truck. Retiring from trucking, he became the road foreman for the Town of Barnet. After retiring full time, he enjoyed taking care of his yard and vegetable garden. He water witched and doused for many wells in the area.

In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing and roller skating. He played basketball, baseball and boxed. He continued to enjoy these sports throughout his life, from the comfort of his armchair. Also, he had fun coaching the Barnet girls' basketball team and his son's Little League teams.

Gilmore enjoyed hunting and going to hunting camp with his sons and brother, Dwight. He was also an avid fisherman. He always enjoyed a good conversation and was known for his story telling. He loved playing with his grandchildren, sitting on his porch watching traffic go by, and watching the birds and wildlife.

On March 24, 1946, he married Virginia Irene Ashford. She predeceased him on September 12, 2014. He was also predeceased by a son-in-law, Harold G. Dunbar; his siblings, Leland Somers and wife Dorcas, Lawrence Dwight Somers, Eunice Jurentkuff and husband Karl, Gwendolen Hagen and husband Oscar, Beulah Gormley and husband Charles, Ruth Chandler and husband Sam, and Neverlie Murray and husband James.

Gilmore is survived by his children, Marcy Myers and husband Gene of Newport News, VA, Mallory Hacking and husband Robert of Wimauma, FL, Gilmore K. Somers, Jr. and wife Cora of Wells River, VT, Carrie Dunbar of Barnet, Lee Somers of Orford, NH, and Jeffrey Somers and wife Kris of Woodsville, NH; 13 grandchildren and several great and great great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May, 23, 2017 at 1 PM in the Walter Harvey Cemetery, Mosquitoville, VT, with Rev. Dr. Howard Gaston of the Presbyterian Church of West Barnet, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice or to the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Activity Fund, 1248 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 0581.

For more information or to sign an online condolence please visit www.rickerfh.com

Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville, NH is in charge of arrangements.