Obituary for Onice Brian Gilbert III
Onice ‘Brian’ Gilbert, III born in Hollis Queens, NY, and adopted Jacksonville, FL as his home departed this physical life here on Earth at 10:52 p.m. Friday, November 30th, 2018. He was surrounded by his strongest advocate, caregiver, loving & devoted wife of 33 years, Mrs. Iris Gilbert, daughters, Porsha` 29, Jazmeen 22, Makayla 13 and his granddaughters, Makia and Makenzie Wells, ages 7&8.
His Father, Onice B. Gilbert Jr and Paternal Grandparents and Maternal Grandfather preceded Brian in death. He also leave behind his Mother, Mrs. Evelyn Gilbert, of Richmond VA; Grandmother, Mrs. Romie O.Taylor of Petersburg, VA, two sisters, Ms. Mone` Everett and Mrs. Renée (Peter) Harney both of Chesterfield, VA, Sister-In-Law, Mrs. Sheila (Henry) Edwards of Chester, VA, one Niece, Natasha Roberts, four Nephews (Malik Dean, John Everett Q, Randell Roberts II and Elijah Harney), his Aunts and Uncles; Adopted Son - Mr. Keeno Griffin; as well as, his best friends/brothers from “Another Mother”, Mr. Aaron Mason, Mr. Lamar Washington, Mr. Dexter Porter and his sisters from “Another Mr.”, Mrs. Veronica Howze and Mrs. Tamika Jackson, as well as, a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Brian grew up in Dinwiddie and Chester VA. He graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1989 where he won a Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (VIAAA) Class 3A Wrestling Championship at 135 lbs. He accepted a wrestling scholarship and attended Virginia State University in Ettrick, VA., for a year before he answered his internal call to join the United States Navy in February 1992, where he trained and became an Aviation Machinist Mate. He served in the U.S. Navy for 7 years, where he attained the rank of Third Class Petty Officer and was selected to represent the Navy as a member of the All-Navy Wrestling Team. Brian left the Navy in 1999 to concentrate on his family, raising his then two daughters Porsha` and Jazmeen with his loving wife Iris.
After Naval service Brian was employed by Duval County School Board (DCSB) as a Para-Professional at Andrew Jackson High School where he then found his love for coaching as an Assistant Coach. After the Head Coach departure, he took the reins at Jackson. Brian went on to serve as Head Coach at Andrew Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Edward H. White and William M. Raines High Schools in Jacksonville, FL.
Brian left DCSB and took an Aircraft Mechanics position with Raytheon Corporation before being selected for Government service at NADEP, NAS Jacksonville, FL. He left NADEP when working on aircrafts became too difficult on his body in 2007 and then concentrated on obtaining his degrees so he could teach.
Brian’s ambition and personal drive to excel fueled his thirst for knowledge, which helped him achieve both his Associate Degree in 2012, and his Bachelors’ Degree in 2013 from Columbia College, Columbia, MO. He received two Master’s Degrees in 2014 and 2015, both from Northcentral University of Prescott Valley, AZ. While still studying, Brian took a teaching position with Cornerstone Christian School from 2012 to 2016, where he taught elementary students.
Brian took his drive, love for kids, family and wrestling and applied it to life lessons. Teaching and showing kids how to believe in themselves, to trust in family, to work hard for what they wanted in life as well as in sports and above all… Never give up, never give in and “always do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Sound principles in God, Family, Life, Love, Trust, Honor and a work ethic forged by fire in Hard-Work.
Many young men and women found a father figure in Brian. Work hard – Play harder but, always and only at the appropriate times. A big kid at heart and prankster like no other, Brian loved to laugh, loved Life, loved his wife and family, loved his friends and LOVED helping kids to become successful. And NOT just on the mat, but in school, in life and in service to others more than themselves.
Brian was NEVER one to give up on someone even when they were at their worst. He never forgot anyone even if everyone else had. Whatever he had was yours, even if it was his last. He never said a discouraging word against anyone. Wherever Brian lived, it was his home, not a house. Wherever he coached it was his extended family, not his team. Whomever he befriended they weren’t friends, they were his family. The kids on his teams were always treated like his sons and daughters. Brian shared the belief that his friends were family members, just did not share bloodlines. He vowed always to treat each person as such.
Brian’s love for Jesus Christ, led him to have a personal relationship with him. He was always reading his Bible on his phone. Knowing that he had the love of Jesus Christ, his devoted wife, daughters, granddaughters, family and those friends that were close to him, was truly a blessing he cherished. One of his favorite scriptures was Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. He always would say, “Pay it forward”.
His mission to lead student athletes by example, to live their lives better as adults in our communities, as well as, in this World, is accomplished.
Brian is finally at rest and his work here is completed. Even in his untimely death, he showed his love for those other than himself. Let us all continue to hold him close within our hearts. Hold him close, in our hearts, minds and spirits, as he held us in his. His heart may have been physically weakened, but it was always as BIG and STRONG, as they come.

Brian received a mat call, the kind you cannot turn down, the mat call you cannot refuse, a call to the mat from which he will not be returning. This mat assignment comes with a heavenly match up, a team assignment and reunion of sorts with family and friends that have answered their own calls earlier of which he hasn’t seen in a long-long time. So now he’ll join them and continue his next bout looking out for all of us from his place atop the podium above. Yelling down and telling us all; Don’t quit! Don’t you ever quit! Not on me, not on life, not on love, not on family, nor on anything or anyone that matters to you!
Onice Brian Gilbert III passed away Friday, November 30th, 2018. Arrangements in Care of: Funerals by T.S. Warden, 904-765-1234
His Father, Onice B. Gilbert Jr and Paternal Grandparents and Maternal Grandfather preceded Brian in death. He also leave behind his Mother, Mrs. Evelyn Gilbert, of Richmond VA; Grandmother, Mrs. Romie O.Taylor of Petersburg, VA, two sisters, Ms. Mone` Everett and Mrs. Renée (Peter) Harney both of Chesterfield, VA, Sister-In-Law, Mrs. Sheila (Henry) Edwards of Chester, VA, one Niece, Natasha Roberts, four Nephews (Malik Dean, John Everett Q, Randell Roberts II and Elijah Harney), his Aunts and Uncles; Adopted Son - Mr. Keeno Griffin; as well as, his best friends/brothers from “Another Mother”, Mr. Aaron Mason, Mr. Lamar Washington, Mr. Dexter Porter and his sisters from “Another Mr.”, Mrs. Veronica Howze and Mrs. Tamika Jackson, as well as, a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Brian grew up in Dinwiddie and Chester VA. He graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1989 where he won a Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (VIAAA) Class 3A Wrestling Championship at 135 lbs. He accepted a wrestling scholarship and attended Virginia State University in Ettrick, VA., for a year before he answered his internal call to join the United States Navy in February 1992, where he trained and became an Aviation Machinist Mate. He served in the U.S. Navy for 7 years, where he attained the rank of Third Class Petty Officer and was selected to represent the Navy as a member of the All-Navy Wrestling Team. Brian left the Navy in 1999 to concentrate on his family, raising his then two daughters Porsha` and Jazmeen with his loving wife Iris.
After Naval service Brian was employed by Duval County School Board (DCSB) as a Para-Professional at Andrew Jackson High School where he then found his love for coaching as an Assistant Coach. After the Head Coach departure, he took the reins at Jackson. Brian went on to serve as Head Coach at Andrew Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Edward H. White and William M. Raines High Schools in Jacksonville, FL.
Brian left DCSB and took an Aircraft Mechanics position with Raytheon Corporation before being selected for Government service at NADEP, NAS Jacksonville, FL. He left NADEP when working on aircrafts became too difficult on his body in 2007 and then concentrated on obtaining his degrees so he could teach.
Brian’s ambition and personal drive to excel fueled his thirst for knowledge, which helped him achieve both his Associate Degree in 2012, and his Bachelors’ Degree in 2013 from Columbia College, Columbia, MO. He received two Master’s Degrees in 2014 and 2015, both from Northcentral University of Prescott Valley, AZ. While still studying, Brian took a teaching position with Cornerstone Christian School from 2012 to 2016, where he taught elementary students.
Brian took his drive, love for kids, family and wrestling and applied it to life lessons. Teaching and showing kids how to believe in themselves, to trust in family, to work hard for what they wanted in life as well as in sports and above all… Never give up, never give in and “always do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Sound principles in God, Family, Life, Love, Trust, Honor and a work ethic forged by fire in Hard-Work.
Many young men and women found a father figure in Brian. Work hard – Play harder but, always and only at the appropriate times. A big kid at heart and prankster like no other, Brian loved to laugh, loved Life, loved his wife and family, loved his friends and LOVED helping kids to become successful. And NOT just on the mat, but in school, in life and in service to others more than themselves.
Brian was NEVER one to give up on someone even when they were at their worst. He never forgot anyone even if everyone else had. Whatever he had was yours, even if it was his last. He never said a discouraging word against anyone. Wherever Brian lived, it was his home, not a house. Wherever he coached it was his extended family, not his team. Whomever he befriended they weren’t friends, they were his family. The kids on his teams were always treated like his sons and daughters. Brian shared the belief that his friends were family members, just did not share bloodlines. He vowed always to treat each person as such.
Brian’s love for Jesus Christ, led him to have a personal relationship with him. He was always reading his Bible on his phone. Knowing that he had the love of Jesus Christ, his devoted wife, daughters, granddaughters, family and those friends that were close to him, was truly a blessing he cherished. One of his favorite scriptures was Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. He always would say, “Pay it forward”.
His mission to lead student athletes by example, to live their lives better as adults in our communities, as well as, in this World, is accomplished.
Brian is finally at rest and his work here is completed. Even in his untimely death, he showed his love for those other than himself. Let us all continue to hold him close within our hearts. Hold him close, in our hearts, minds and spirits, as he held us in his. His heart may have been physically weakened, but it was always as BIG and STRONG, as they come.

Brian received a mat call, the kind you cannot turn down, the mat call you cannot refuse, a call to the mat from which he will not be returning. This mat assignment comes with a heavenly match up, a team assignment and reunion of sorts with family and friends that have answered their own calls earlier of which he hasn’t seen in a long-long time. So now he’ll join them and continue his next bout looking out for all of us from his place atop the podium above. Yelling down and telling us all; Don’t quit! Don’t you ever quit! Not on me, not on life, not on love, not on family, nor on anything or anyone that matters to you!
Onice Brian Gilbert III passed away Friday, November 30th, 2018. Arrangements in Care of: Funerals by T.S. Warden, 904-765-1234