Ernest Cecil Kilgore, June 10, 1931 – April 10, 2018, was also known as “Uncle Ernie” to many. Mr. Kilgore was born on June 10, 1931 in Norton, Virginia to his parents, Robert Kilgore and former Ms. Rose Gardenes. Mr. Kilgore was a veteran of Korean War and served honorably in the U.S. Army until his retirement on September 1, 1967. His military career best remembered for his love of his soldiers and passion to mentor young leaders. Mr. Kilgore joined the Raytheon Corporation in 1968 and had a distinguished career for over twenty-five years as a senior field engineer of air defense system. He worked around the globe from Far East Asia to Middle East and retired in 1993. Mr. Ernie and Sun Ok “Joanne” Kilgore moved to The Villages, Florida in 2004. Mr. Kilgore was a patient teacher, mentor, and leader. He was a patriot who symbolized “Duty, Honor, God and Country” and he will always be remembered for his love for the country music, golf, his guitar and Class-VI. Mr. Kilgore is survived by his wife, Sun Ok “Joanne”, his daughter Susan Kilgore, son Billy Joe Kilgore, grandson Dustin, granddaughter Kaleen, and numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral mass will be held at St. Timothy Catholic Church in The Villages, Florida on April 17th 2018 at 8:30am with reception following the Mass. Mr. Kilgore will be buried at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Florida at 11am on following day.