Meet Mr John Gilbert Who Is Known for Selling Watermelons in Lafayette

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - We recently introduced you to Mr. John Gilbert, who sells watermelons in Lafayette, and now we're learning more about the 92-year-old entrepreneur.

I recently stopped by the intersection at Congress and Rue du Belier to purchase a Sugartown Watermelon after seeing an elderly man selling the melons there. As I was selecting the perfect melon, Mr John and I got into a conversation, and that's when I learned why he endures the heat to sell them.

Mr. John is 92 years old, and he told me that he does this to "stay busy." He said he doesn't like to be bored, and since his wife passed away, this is what keeps him going.

After my stop and visit, I posted a photo of Mr. John and me from the intersection where he was selling watermelons, and that's when so many people messaged me asking where and how they could support him. Then, I started to hear from Mr. John's family, and that's when I began to learn more about the man who has been selling watermelons for years.

Cheryl Gilbert Wiltz, his daughter, wrote the following about her dad and the man Lafayette has fallen in love with on social media:

"He was born in Welch, LA, in 1933. He was raised in Rayne, LA, working with his dad, who was a farmer. In 1952, he married Mary & worked as a painter. In 1970, they moved with their four children to Lafayette, where he worked for a local sign company. In 1982, he became co-owner of The Prop Shop. He retired at an early age of 56 and enjoyed his hobbies of fishing & hunting. He’s been selling watermelons for at least 8 years just as a pastime. His wife passed away in 2015, which led him to want to sell more to keep busy. He had a stroke in 2023, but with rehab & his strongest will, he was back selling them in 2024. His family is so proud of his determination & would like to thank the community for all of the support."

Now that you know Mr. John, I encourage you to stop by when you see him at Congress and Rue du Belier. You'll not only get a great-tasting watermelon, but you'll also walk away with a new sense of motivation.

For me, to see an elderly man sitting in the heat, under a tent, selling watermelons was an inspiration to work hard and never stop. And while Mr John enjoys being out there selling watermelons, I still encourage you to buy a melon from him so that he sells out and returns home to a much cooler setting.

Like many others on social media, I encourage you to share this story with others so that they know where to meet Mr. John and get a delicious watermelon. I promise you, he'll appreciate not only your business but also your company.