Jose “David” Gil Jr., 71, of Dimmitt, formerly of La Pryor, died on Aug. 16, 2016, in Dimmitt. He was born on Jan. 22, 1945, in La Pryor to Sofia (Saldana) and Jose Gil Sr. The family says Gil started playing the accordion at age 11, and in 1961 he played on his first TV show in San Antonio. He moved to Dimmitt in 1965 and worked as a farmer. The family says while working in agriculture, he worked for Leroy and J.C. Pohlmeier for many years and they became lifelong friends. He met his future wife, Maria, in Olton in 1969, and the couple later married, residing in Dimmitt. In 1970, he formed his first band and named them Los Distintos Cinco with his brothers, his son and a close friend. The family says he was a hard worker who loved his job; he enjoyed watching WWE wrestling on television; and most importantly, he loved being around his family. He is survived by his wife, of Dimmitt; five sons, David Gil and wife, Adela, Daniel Gil and wife, Michelle, Julian Gil and wife, Cassie, Jose Gil III, and Robert Gil, all of Dimmitt; seven daughters, Yvette Ramirez and husband, Marcos, of Mesquite, Diana Maes and husband, Mark, and Maria Gil and husband, Mario, all of Hereford, Leticia Gil of Abilene, Melissa Gil and husband, Fabian, Debbie Gil and husband, Mark, and Dorothy Gil and husband, Raul, all of Dimmitt; three sisters, Lydia Vargas and husband, Abel, and Sylvia Garcia and husband, Jose, all of Dimmitt, and Clemencia Rendon of Amarillo; two brothers, Mario Gil and Rene Gil, both of Dimmitt; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gil was preceded in death by his parents. A viewing was held on Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Palabra De Vida Church. A funeral service was held on Friday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dimmitt. The Rev. Abel Vargas Jr. officiated. Interment followed at the Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dimmit.
COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME OF DIMMITT, COLONIALFUNERALHOME.ORG
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