Birth date: Apr 13, 1929 Death date: Apr 30, 2010
Gilbert Stewart Counts, 81, of Manassas, passed away at his home on April 30, 2010. He was born in Brentsville, VA on April 13, 1929 to the late Troy Counts and Minnie Keys Counts. He was the owner and operator of Counts Construc Read Obituary
Gilbert “Papaw” Counts was a friend of mine. He made the world a better place. I am a better man for knowing Gilbert. He was the salt of the earth and a true Virginian! Gilbert was born and raised, lived and worked, married the love of his life and raised a family, and breathed his last breath on the “Old Dominion” soil he cherished so much.
When I first became acquainted with Gilbert and Alice back in the early 1970’s, I was a long-haired left-wing hippie boy. They did not close their minds, but instead opened up their hearts and home to me and my fellow Broad Run renegades. As a consequence I have the privilege and honor to call Alice, Faynell and Kirk, Artie and his family, Jeremy, Gretchen, Cory, and Evie my friends.
From the bluegrass song “Blue Ridge”,
Blue Ridge do you call to all your children
Like you've been calling me
Blue Ridge why are you calling me home?
Gilbert has been called home.
John C. Herold
Tucson, Arizona
The fabric of America's tapestry has always been strong because people like Gilbert have been spinning the yarn. For all of the thousands of pages one can read in the Congressional Record, our national ethos is so much simpler. It is about morally grounded individuals working damn hard to improve their lot, and in so doing, they make all of us better. There are many of these individuals still around, but I for one fear their numbers are diminishing--although hopefully I'm wrong. One thing I am sure of, however, is that on April 30th of this year their numbers diminished by one. God bless you Papaw Counts, and thank you for the model of a life lived well to which we all would do well to aspire. Thank you also for welcoming a long-haired radical hippie like me into your home all those decades ago.
Your friend,
Beeg'l
So sorry to hear of your passing. You will always be a cherished memory in my heart, you were always so kind, funny and gentle...you will be missed greatly, but always fondly remembered..praying for comfort and strength for Aunt Alic, Sandra and Faynelle, as well as the rest of your wonderful family ! May you rest in peace..
