Thomas C. Gilliland

Thomas (Tom) Calvin Gilliland went peacefully to his everlasting home surrounded by the love of his family and his little dog Scooter Thursday, January 26, 2012. Thomas was born April 14, 1927 to Bert Bever Gilliland and Elsie Mae (Kart) Gilliland. Tom was born and lived his entire life in the Lake Odessa area. He was a 1945 graduate of Lake Odessa High School. He married Jacquelyn M. Curtis on June 10, 1946. Together they raised five children. In 1946 he made a gentleman's agreement with Ray Fender to purchase his automotive repair business. When the deal fell through due to Mr. Fender's untimely death, he began working out of his mother's garage on Tupper Lake Street. This led to him and his brother Wayne building a garage in 1947 and going into business in what now is home to VFW #4461Jackson-Mutschler & Auxiliary. After a few years, Tom became sole owner until he closed the business in 1966. He then went to work for the State of Michigan at the Boy's Training School in Lansing as an instructor. When that closed he transferred to Motor Transport until his retirement in 1984. Tom was a past member of the Woodland and Lake Odessa Lion's Clubs, Morrison Lake Country Club and the Hickory/Statesville Cribbadiers. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and Alethians, State Employees Retirement Association, American Cribbage Congress, Kaiser Frazer Owner Club, International, Lake Odessa Area Historical Society, and First Families of Ionia County Society. Tom was always ready for a game of cards. He was never one to sit still, and enjoyed puttering in his garage, always having a project or two to work on. He was a Jack of All Trades, and a Master of Most. If he went somewhere where he didn't know anyone—you could be sure he would have a friend or two by the time he left. During his lifetime he donated 6 gallons of blood. He enjoyed playing softball and was an avid Tiger's fan from an early age when the family would listen to games on the radio. He also enjoyed bowling for many years and developed a love of golf, after many years of stating he would "never chase a bleep bleep little white ball around a field". Tom is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jacquelyn, five children, Barbara Bosworth, Thomas Jr (Jane), Terry (Jocelyne), Bonnie Mattson, and Brian (Darci). He is also survived by ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, and his "little girl" Scooter. He was preceded in death by his parents, and seven siblings. Visitation will be Sunday, January 29, 2-4 and 6-8 at Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa. Services will be held Monday, January 30 at 1 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pennock Hospice or Central United Methodist Church. Visitation January 29, 2012 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 Fourth Ave. Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Funeral Service January 30, 2012 1:00 PM Central United Methodist Church 912 Fourth Avenue Lake Odessa, MI Interment Lakeside Cemetery 14631 Cemetery Rd Lake Odessa, MI