Oscar Lee Gilliam Jr.

Oscar Lee Gilliam Jr. was born in Houston, Texas on August 1, 1955 to the parents of Oscar Lee Gilliam Sr. (Mr. Lee) and Bertha Lee Stokes Orange. He was only 12 years old when his mother passed and was then cared for and essentially raised by his beloved sister Patricia M. Johnson and family on Tower St. in Acres Homes. He went to school at A.B. Anderson Elementary, Charles R. Drew Junior High School, where he played in the school band, and eventually George Washington Carver High School where he started his storied sports career. He played football, participated on the swim team, and ran track where his teammates gave him the nickname “Hot Dog.” Upon his graduation he attended the University of Houston where he pursued interests in the fields of pharmacy and dentistry. While in school he married his high school sweetheart Pamela Willis and had his first son Oscar Lee Gilliam III. The marriage dissolved after a short time and after some years he had a brief marriage to Trudy Cook. In 1988 he married Dyeraine Harris his wife of 37 years until the day of his passing. Together they had three children, Kresheta, Montraye, and his youngest LeAnthany. From all four of his kids, he was blessed with eight grandchildren, KeAndre, Kyla, Kameron, Nadia, LeAnthany Jr. who preceded him in death, Elijah, Khamari, and Trinity.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

Oscar was a hard working man who always had a steady job but also held several side gigs along the way, such as driving private ambulances, working security at banks, transporting patients to hospitals, and even being a floor associate at The Home Depot. He always prided himself on his ability to save money and provide for his family. His first job out of high school was at Champions Forest Golf Course. After leaving U of H, he worked at Murray Rubber Company and then Chicago Bridge and Iron as a welder. Faced with long term options to either go to the military or become a fire fighter, Oscar chose to work for the city of Houston as a Firefighter and paramedic. He served for over three decades until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed his years serving the community as a fire fighter, marching in parades, participating in ceremonies, building lifelong friendships, mentoring younger crew members, and proudly serving his city and community every day.

FAITH AND SERVICE

Oscar was a man of Christian faith accepting Christ as his Lord and savior at a young age and then being baptized by Reverend Earnest Paul at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he also sang in the youth choir. He later transferred his membership to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend W.G. Wright. He was also ordained as a deacon by Rev. Wright at St. Paul’s and participated in many church functions and auxiliary activities such as picnics and carnivals for the local community. He eventually transferred his membership to his final place of service at Soldiers of the Cross Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Curley Randle.

LIFE AND LEGACY

Oscar Lee Gilliam Jr. will be remembered as a hard working and committed husband, father, and man of God, faithful in community service as a Houston Firefighter, and dearly loved and appreciated by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his Parents Bertha Lee Stokes-Orange and Oscar Lee Gilliam Sr., Mother in Law Winnie Gilliam (Mama Winnie), Grandmother Josephine Holland, Brother Eugene Orange Jr. (Sonny) Aunt Mattie B, Uncle Ed Morris, Louis Soloman, Jorge Johnson (Uncle Bo) and Grandson LeAnthany Gilliam Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Dyeraine Gilliam:his daughter Kresheta Gilliam: his three sons Oscar L. Gilliam III, Montraye Gilliam, and LeAnthany Gilliam: his seven grandchildren KeAndre Sims, Kyla Gilliam, Kameron Gilliam, Nadia Gilliam, Elijah Gilliam, Khamari Gilliam and Trinity Gilliam, his sisters Berniece Solomon, Patricia M. Johnson, Faye Jones: nephews Roy Jamal Turner, Gerald Johnson, Gabriel Johnson, Aunts Daisy Luke, Katherine Morris (Aunt Kat), Mother In Law, Zelma Randle, his brothers at the Houston Fire Department, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at Paradise Funeral Home, Inc, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088, US, on May 30, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Funeral at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Committal will take place at Paradise Cemetery North, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088, US, on May 30, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.