James Henry Gill

Jim was born on October 17, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York to James A. Gill and Genevieve Gill. He grew up near Long Island with his sisters and many cousins, and was always proud of his Irish heritage.

Jim was sometimes referred to as “one of the most interesting men in the world”, because of his varied career experiences, sports prowess, insatiable quest for knowledge, and ability to relate a great story.

From an early age, he had an aptitude and a love for sports. He was an all-star in non-professional baseball, basketball, football, and golf. As a father, he volunteered his time as a youth softball coach. For the last decade and more, he regularly volunteered in support of the PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tour golf tournaments and professional qualifying events. He played a weekly game of golf alongside friends until his passing.

Anyone who met Jim became instantly aware of his brilliant mind and sharp wit. His intellect enabled him to shine academically, qualifying for a Regent Scholarship to St. John’s University in New York where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History. Later, at the University of Southern California, he earned a Master of Arts in International Relations and continued to the PhD program in Defense and Strategic Studies. He later applied that specialty as an Adjunct Professor at California State University, San Bernardino.

He served as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1966-1974, with lengthy assignments in Thailand during the Vietnam War and in North Dakota as an ICBM Missile Crew Commander. After leaving active duty, he continued his service as an Air Force Reserve Contracts Specialist until 1984.

As a civilian, Jim held positions with the Department of Justice as a Legal Research Analyst and Paralegal in the Antitrust Division, and with the Department of Agriculture as a Criminal Investigator, where he trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as a Sharpshooter. He had a lengthy career as a Space Systems Contracting Officer for the Air Force at the Ballistic Missile Office at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, followed by the Space & Missiles Center at Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, CA; where he concluded his career as Technical Acquisition Advisor to the Director of Contracting.

Jim was viewed as something of a legend in his field, and was a mentor to many. Throughout his career, he authored numerous articles and Op Eds - most often for Defense News, Space News, and National Contracts Management Association - and presented at several professional defense acquisition events for NCMA, and at the Naval Postgraduate School.

As fortunate as he was in his work, Jim was equally blessed in his family life. He was married for 40 years to his beloved wife, Candice. They welcomed their only child, Allison, in June of 1989 and relocated to Manhattan Beach from San Bernardino in 1996. He traveled many places in the world, but especially enjoyed annual trips to Kauai, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas.

Jim is survived by his wife, daughter, and sisters, Jane and Susan. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Outstanding patriot, gifted storyteller, dedicated husband and father, and mentor to many, Jim was truly an example of a life well-lived. He will be dearly missed.