Some people are called a “peach of a guy or gal.” Jack Gilbert could be called a grape-guy. Several legislators and petition signers at events have received a jar of delicious muscadine grape jelly grown and prepared by him and his wife Linda.
This is just one example of the generosity of this Convention of States volunteer, who joined the movement early in 2013 when there were fewer than 40 petition signers in the Arkansas. Gilbert immediately became a District Captain, instituted the follow-up program for recent signers, and now serves as Regional Captain for Region 5 which encompasses nine congressional districts.
When Gilbert retired from his business of installing alarm systems (the largest such company in the state), he said that he then had time to think about political issues and was most concerned about the national debt.
Fascinated by the Constitution and government since elementary school, he was skeptical of COS at first. After researching, though, he felt that this was the organization who could truly instigate change.
“I found out that he could do something more than cast one vote, and I got excited,” he said.
Because of his dedication to the cause over the years, Jack was the first of only two in Arkansas who have been awarded the highly honored Challenge Coin. The coin features the portrait of George Mason, who proposed the second half of Article V of the Constitution permitting states to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments.
Gilbert grew up in west Texas and graduated from Odessa High School. He served two years in the Army and then attended Bible college in California where he met his wife Linda. They have now been married 55 years and have four children.
Linda is also active in COS, serving as a District Captain. They have pastored churches and currently work in the children’s ministry at their church. Jack believes strongly in investing in the spiritual and historical education of our children to ensure the future of our nation.
This belief is reflected in a favorite quote of his by President Ronald Reagan in his farewell address: “If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are.”
