NEWS

Tragedy hits Phillips

by Merredith Collins

James Gilchrist, 73, of Oberlin was found unconscious in the sauna of Philips Recreation Center on Thursday, Jan. 21.

He passed away shortly before reaching Allen Memorial Hospital where his cause of death was diagnosed as a heart attack.

Gilchrist was born in McCormick, SC and was an Oberlin resident for 36 years. He retired from his 30-year career as head chemist at Elyria Memorial Hospital to be the first African-American licensed realtor and broker in Lorain County. Gilchrist is survived by his wife, Daisy Gilchrist.

According to Interim Director of the Recreation Center Laura James, Gilchrist showed signs of possible illness shortly before his death. "A worker talked to him and he said he wasn't feeling well. He noticed [Gilchrist] had heavy breathing," she said.

James said a visit to the sauna was not uncommon for Gilchrist. "He would go from the bikes to the pool to the sauna. We used to have casual conversations in the sauna together. That's how I met him. He came every day," said James.

Gilchrist was found by an employee of the Recreation Center in the late afternoon. Security Supervisor Gary Kriesen arrived on the scene at 5:40 p.m. after receiving a phone call from the gym. Director of Security Keith James was contacted shortly thereafter.

Kriesen said the recreation staff member who found Gilchrist was very distraught by the situation. "He's been really shaken by the whole thing," said Kriesen.

According to Jane McCarthy, senior communications office and evening dispatcher, the Lorain County Coroner Paul Matus was in the gym running laps when Gilchrist was discovered and was quickly informed of the situation. "He declared him deceased when [Gilchrist] was in the ambulance," said McCarthy.

Funeral services were held the following Wednesday at the Carter Funeral Home, Elyria."He's been coming here for 15 years plus," said Laura James. "He will be missed."

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Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 13, February 12, 1999

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