Roger Kent Gilmore, age 71 of Sanford, passed away on Monday (9/29/2025) at First Health Hospice House.  He was born on October 22, 1953, son of the late John Marvin Gilmore and Annie Lou Clouis Cole Gilmore.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Harold Franklin Gilmore, Vernon Gilmore, Billy Gilmore, Roy Wayne Gilmore, John Gilmore, Jr., Donnie Gilmore and sisters, Shirley G. Thompson and Johnnie Carol Gilmore; step-son, Shannon Lee Maddox.  Roger was a family man and enjoyed spending time with the love of his life, his wife Catherine, his children, his beloved sisters and his pets, Monkey, Lady Bug, Puddin Pop and Tigger Boo.   They would have family gatherings and enjoyed singing karaoke and attending car shows together.  He was a dedicated employee of Elkins Sawmill for fifty- years and he thought of them as family.  He had a lifelong love for cars, and spending time with his good friend, Joe Urrutia, his mechanic and over the years, he grew to love his "adopted dad", Steamboat, who was also employed by Elkins Saw Mill.  Even as his time on earth was ending, he brought comfort to his family with his great sense of humor.      Roger will be missed by those who knew and loved him.   Surviving is his wife, Catherine Spivey Gilmore of the home; daughters, Rhonda L. Gunter of Beaufort, SC, Angela S. Reep (Matthew) of Beaufort, SC, Marjorie D. Dietz (Aaron) of Union, KY, Bobbi J. Bush of Sanford, NC and their mother, Rebecca Schreckengast (Jerry) of Beaufort, SC; step-daughter,  Christole D. Maddox (Bridget) of Sanford, NC; Stepsons, Kristerfer A. Maddox of Sanford, NC, and Michael S. Maddox (Kimberly) of Wilson, NC; sisters, Marvelene Corcoran of Sanford, NC, Barbara Graham of Olivia, NC, Faye  Holladay (Alton) of Ramseur, NC, Brenda Denkins (Benny) of Sanford, NC and Debbie O'Quinn of Broadway, NC; eighteen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.  A celebration of life service will be on Saturday (10/04/2025) at 2:00pm the Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Davis officiating.  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com  Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home, Broadway Inc.