He was chief auditor for the Civilian Works Administration in Oklahoma City from 1934 to 1935.

He then was director of the Office of Price Administration in Puerto Rico for three years.

He was deputy executive secretary to the U.S. High Commissioner in Frankfurt, West Germany in 1950.

He was deputy principal officer of the American Consulate General in Hong Kong from 1960 to 1961.

[6] In 1965, he returned to Washington, D.C., as deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

[1][2][3] In June 1966, he became deputy chancellor of the East-West Center in Honolulu, a school attached to the University of Hawai'i.

[2][3] Gilstrap married Mary Ethel of Cocoa Beach, Florida.