Gilbert Quintanilla

Gilbert Etcyl Smith Quintanilla, 30, known as Gibb by many, past away on Monday, June 9, 2014, in Liberty, MO. He was born on August 30, 1983 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Gilbert Cantu Quintanilla and Anita Elaine (Smith) Holden.

Gilbert graduated from Fort Osage High School in Independence, MO on May 2, 2002. He was active in the band and performed in many competitions across the area. He was an active member of Troop 492 in Independence and made Eagle Scout on February 26, 2001. His time in the scouts was a powerful influence in him as a young man and instilled in him character that remained with him throughout his very short life.

In September of 2003, Gilbert joined the United States Army. His plan was to follow in the footsteps of his closest friend and mentor, his grandfather. Gilbert served seven years, four months. He received basic training Ft Benning Georgia, including Airborne jump school training and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Ft Bragg, NC, where he completed 21 jumps. During his time, Gilbert served one year in Afghanistan. There he earned several awards including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Campaign Star, his second Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He was honorably discharged from Ft. Lewis, WA, in January of 2011.

At the time of his passing, Gilbert attended Vatterott College in Kansas City, MO, where he was studying Combination Welding Technology and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and was on the President's Honor Roll. He worked at Missouri Sand Company, as a welding apprentice.

Gibb was an outdoorsman. He loved camping with his family, squirrel hunting, and sitting around the fire, sharing stories. His time with the Scouts built a love for the mountains, which stayed with him forever. He loved the short time he was able to live near them, and dreamed of returning to a cabin in the Rockies. His hobbies were guns and cars. He loved them both. He could talk about them for hours, and share rare, unknown facts off the top of his head. He was a kind, loving, humble, man, who touched many lives in a very short time.

Gibb was survived by his father, Gilbert Quintanilla, of Independence, MO, his mother, Anita Holden and her husband, Wesley, of Independence, MO, and one brother, Aaron Quintanilla, of Chicago, IL. He was also survived by a huge family that he loved immensely, and friends he had made across this great country that he so proudly served.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bernabe Quintanilla and Carmen (Cantu) Quintanilla, and his maternal grandparents, Afton Smith and Sue (Reed) Smith.