The story of Guard Tronic begins in West Texas….
Our founder, Kenneth Gilbert, grew up with his siblings in the Odessa, TX area. The second-oldest sibling, Vernon Gilbert, founded an alarm company that would become Aprotex (short for A Professional Texas Corporation) in 1952. Most of the siblings had some part in the company during a time when alarm companies had to build their own parts. Younger brother, Kenneth, along with brothers Waldo, Jack, David, and Frank moved to western Arkansas and, in 1959, Kenneth Gilbert founded Guard Tronic.
The two companies have been as closely knit as the families that formed the companies. We use the same control equipment, communication equipment, and share best practices around family gatherings. Even when our company President, Dave Gilbert, passed in 2014, the companies remain tightly bonded.
We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Vernon Gilbert. We mourn with the Gilbert family their loss of such a pioneer in our industry. More than a trustworthy alarm company owner, he was an avid pilot, author, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and terrific friend to so many.
Read more about Vernon’s life and his incredible legacy here: Obituary