Services for J.T. Gilliam will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Virgil Trout officiating, and Rev. Ron Benedick assisting. Interment will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Ardmore. J.T. passed from this life on Aug. 28, 2010, at the age of 88 years.
He was born to James T., Sr. and Hannah A. (Swann) Gilliam Sr. in Ardmore and he graduated Ardmore High School in 1939. J.T. married Mary Margaret Thomas in 1941 in Sulphur and she preceded him in death in 1991. He later married Charlene Lewis on October 29, 1992 in Ardmore. In 1943, J.T. enlisted in the United States Navy and fought in World War II and then re-enlisted in 1950 with the United States Army, 45th Division and fought in the Korean War. He retired after several years as a Sr. Vice President and General Manager of the Arkansas Division of OG&E. Throughout his career with OG&E he had lived in Guthrie and Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
J.T. was a 32nd Degree Mason. While living in Fort Smith, he served as President of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce and also served as President of the Junior Achievement of Fort Smith. J.T. served on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact. He was named OG&E Boss of the Year. He received the Arkansas Community Development Program Lifetime Achievement Award. J.T. served on the Board of Advisors of St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, the Fort Smith Ben Geurin Park, and the Oklahoma-Arkansas State Fair Board.
He is survived by his wife Charlene of the home, one son Tom Gilliam of Palm Springs, Calif., stepsons Steven Jay Lewis of Oklahoma City and Bobby Lewis of Houston, Texas, and a stepdaughter Robyn Velarde of Sulphur. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Laura, Sandra, Justin T., Kelly, and Jason Gilliam; Kalor and Logan Lewis; Mason, Bridges, and Van Velarde; two great-grandchildren, Oliver Huskey and Ivy Gilliam.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest son Jim Gilliam, five brothers and four sisters.
Pallbearers will be Clyde High, Keith Mann, Gene Fryar, Danny Bloodworth, Pat Howe, and Mark Feather. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of the OG&E Employees and the men of the Maxwell Avenue Church of Christ.
Memorials may be made to the Cross Timbers Hospice. Funeral Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home and online condolences may be made to www.craddockfuneralhome.com.
