Peggy Lou Gilman

Peggy was born in Hoxie, Kansas April 21, 1929. In the summer of 1937 her father, Roy W. Davis and mother Edith V. Davis moved her and her sister, Volene Davis Ludvik to Grand Junction Colorado. Her brother Maynard Davis joined them after his graduation from Hoxie High School.

The family lived in the Redlands area. Peggy and her sister Volene rode a bicycle 10 miles to get to school. In high school Peggy played clarinet in the band and was a member of an all girls band called the “Melody Maids”. They played at dances on the Western Slope.

In her early 20s Peggy became acquainted with Ben Johnson and his horse Sundance. Many years later she became aware that there was a picture of her on Sundance and it was used as a cover for the Appaloosa Magazine. It was also used for calendars. She then discovered that it was a feature in the Appaloosa museum in Idaho. This inspired her to become involved with the museum.

She worked at dress shops in Grand Junction, The Bell Telephone Company and American Gilsonite.

She married her first husband, William (Bill) Wallace in April 22, 1951. He was an under sheriff for Mesa County and passed away March 18, 1968. She married Harris (Peter) Hunt Gilman June 27, 1969.

She and Peter traveled the world for his career. Peggy enjoyed golf, tennis and bowling. After Pete’s retirement they moved to Spokane Valley, Washington in 2009. Pete passed away November 9, 2013. At the age of 95 Peggy returned to her home town of Grand Junction in 2024. She and Peter will be laid to rest at Orchard Mesa Cemetery in a private family service at a later date.