Longtime Centralia High School teacher and coach, Tim Gilmore, left, shares a laugh with an umpire prior to the second day of the District IV 2A Softball Tournament at Fort Borst Park in Centralia. After 41 years of teaching and coaching Centralia at Centralia High School, Gilmore will retire at the end of the year. Gilmore was helping run the softball tournament in Centralia on Friday and is a mainstay and nearly all the Centralia sporting events.
Tim Gilmore meets with his wife, Jerrilyn, prior to the start of a girls fastpitch softball tournament at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Friday. The Gilmore's, who have been married for 35 years, both taught in the Twin Cities for over three decades, and often help out with numerous events the high school puts on. After 41 years of teaching at Centralia High School, Gilmore will retire at the end of the year. Jerrilyn, who retired from teaching in the Chehalis School District for over 30 years last year, brought her husband, who was uncharacteristically running late to the sports complex, an umbrella and coffee to help get him through a rainy Friday night of scorekeeping.
Jerrilyn Gilmore talks with her husband, Tim, prior to the start of the District IV 2A Softball Tournament on Friday at Fort Borst Park in Centralia. The Gilmore's, who have been married for 35 years and each taught in the Twin Cities for over three decades apiece, help with many of the school's sporting events.
Tim Gilmore gets the scorecard and starting line up from R.A. Long softball coach Jennifer Hefley prior to the start of the District IV 2A Softball tournament which Gilmore was doing scorekeeping for at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Friday.
After chatting with umpires prior to the start of the District IV 2A Softball Tournament, Tim Gilmore walks back out to the fields to keep score on one of the games on Friday at Fort Borst Park in Centralia.
Driven by faith, a longtime Centralia High School coach and teacher has impacted the lives of thousands of students with a simple philosophy over his 41-year career in education.
Now, a banner hangs above the entrance to Centralia High School that reads: “Do more, be more, Gilmore,” to honor the legacy of Timothy “Gil” Gilmore.
The district celebrated Gilmore’s retirement by naming the Centralia High School commons after him on Sunday for his service teaching, coaching multiple sports and touching the lives of those around him.
“He’s helped me as a teacher to remember that every single kid that walks through your door deserves the very best,” said Josh Rodland, a CHS teacher and baseball coach. “He’s inspiring.”
Rodland said Gilmore particularly helped him in his first few years of teaching.
“Whether it’s in the classroom or personally, he’s someone I can always go to,” he said. “He’s the guy you want to get close to.”
Every student who passes through the halls of CHS spends a semester of his or her freshman year in Gilmore’s memorabilia wallpapered law and community classroom known as portable three.
“He didn’t really teach law and community, he taught us about life,” said Abby Slorey, a senior at CHS.
When Slorey’s father fell ill with cancer, she said, Gilmore was there, teaching her that everything in life happens for a reason and one can emerge from struggles stronger.
“We’re truly blessed to have a guy like him as part of the school and the community,” she said.
The day Centralia High School student Steven Phelps’ mother died, he decided to go to school anyway.
Feeling alone and lost, Phelps sat in his first period classroom, not knowing what to do.
Then Gilmore popped in with kind words and his signature warm embrace.
“I felt loved. I felt people were there for me,” he said. “He will take the darkest thing and find the light in it.”
From Gilmore, Phelps said, he has learned to love others unconditionally, no matter what mistakes they’ve made.
“He changes their lives,” Rodland said after eight years teaching alongside Gilmore. “He looks them in the eyes and tells them he loves them. And if anyone knows how to use tough love, it’s Tim Gilmore.”
Gilmore said he aims to make eye contact with each student, from the student leaders to those who may end up in jail, every single day. That way he remains connected and knows where he can make a difference.
Gilmore started his career in Centralia teaching special education in 1973. From that experience, he took an understanding of what each individual student needs into the classroom and onto the field.
Gilmore said the most important lesson he hopes to pass on to students is to wake up refreshed every day and ask God for the opportunity to help another without asking anything in return.
“That’s the purpose of getting up in the morning,” he said.
But coaching baseball, volleyball, basketball, football and adult badminton in addition to teaching leaves little time for rest or reflection.
“My prayer time is on the in the bathroom on the throne,” he joked.
Each night when he goes to bed, Gilmore said, he promises to give his all the next day. His wife, Jerrilyn, a retired Chehalis teacher of 40 years, has a similar mission. The Gilmores have both received recognition from the community as Lewis County Teacher of the Year multiple times.
“She and I had this love affair with kids. Hers with fourth graders and mine with ninth graders in these Twin Cities,” Gilmore said. “It’s kind of a dream job.”
Even with the most challenging students, Gilmore said, he looks past the anger and tries to get them to open up and trust again.
“We tell kids to reach for the stars when they’re often six feet under,” he said.
And for his hard work, Gilmore said, he receives thanks everyday both in the classroom and on the field by watching students grow into people who give back to others without asking for anything in return.
After retiring at the end of the school year, Gilmore plans to teach morning exercise classes, help with athletics and talk to students about the sociological impact of sexually transmitted diseases and relationships.
“He’s an inspiration, perhaps one of the best role models I’ve had in the teaching profession,” said Neil Sharp, who teaches and coaches alongside Gilmore at CHS. “He has this ability to make every person feel that they’re the most special person in the room, and for that moment, they are.”
Sharp said Gilmore’s deep understanding of kids and his ability to celebrate their differences makes his impact broad.
“He touches lives throughout the community and Lewis County,” Sharp said. “He’s a legend and he’s still going to be with us.”
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Amy Nile: (360) 807-8235
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