Obituary

Judge Gilbert Eugene Torbett, January 24, 1932, of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, January 30, 2018, with his family by his side. He was 86. A lifelong Bristol resident, Gilbert was a graduate from Bristol Tennessee High School. He continued his education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where, after serving as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, he returned for his Degree in Law. Gilbert faithfully served the state of Tennessee and the city of Bristol as a General Sessions Court Judge for over 24 years. Upon his retirement, he opened his own law practice, Gilbert E. Torbett, Attorney at Law, in his childhood home on Windsor Ave. Gilbert actively supported his community, locally and nationally, as a member of the Elks Lodge, Lion's Club, V.F.W., and his beloved American Legion, Post 145. Affectionately known as "Gil" or "Judge", he always put others before himself; forever ready to help anyone regardless of the circumstances. He truly loved his family (and his Vols), cherished his friends and positively touched many lives. "Gil" was truly one of a kind. He is survived by his son, Jack, of Nashville; daughter, Sallie and husband, Norman Scott of Elizabethton; grandson, Norm Scott and wife, Kelsie; and great-grandchildren, Kassiani and Erik. He was reunited with his son, Gene; of Bristol and his wife, Jo Ann, of Abingdon, Virginia; his brother, David, of Knoxville; and his sister, Ruth Ingham of Athens, Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Holston Home for Children, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744, or St. Jude Children's Hospital, in his honor. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.