Donald R. Gillum

The family has had a private graveside service.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday July 23, 2021, with a service starting at 5pm followed by come and go visitation with family until 7pm at Antioch Community Church – Kids Auditorium 510 N 20th Waco, Texas 76706.

Don grew up in the Kentucky/Ohio area and graduated from Valley High School in Lucasville Ohio in 1955. He attended Ohio University where he met Barbara Walker. They married and moved to Texas.

Don worked at Sinclair Petrochemical plant for 10 years as an instrumentation and analyzer engineering technician. While working full time he also attended night school at the University of Houston where he graduated in 1971. He earned his license as a private pilot as well.

Don, Barbara and their 2 children moved to Waco where he took a job as an instructor at TSTI. Don helped to develop the Instrumentation Control Systems and Automation Department. He had more than 40 years of employment with TSTI with experience as a master instructor, department chair and division director. During this time, he received his license as a Professional Engineer in both California and Texas.

Don sat on the American Board of Engineering Technologies (ABET) where he established the testing requirements for the certification of engineering and technologies programs for colleges. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) hired him to write their exam for the certification of engineering technicians and technologists.

In 2006 the Instrument Society of America presented Don with the Golden Achievement Award for many years of service to the organization. Don had served as vice-president of education for ISA and helped establish educational standards throughout the world. He wrote and taught many courses, authored books and wrote technical articles for publications including InTech magazine. His various journals and textbooks have been adopted by various colleges.

Don cared deeply about his students at TSTC, ISA, and around the world. He intentionally led and encouraged them, touching thousands of lives. It was not uncommon for him to bring them to his farm for times of fellowship.

In his private life, Don served many as well. He held positions of leadership in various organizations including the church, the Lion’s Club, and the local school board.

Above all Don had undeniable love and loyalty to his family, caring for his own household and maintaining relationship with his siblings, traveling back to his home in Ohio to see them often.

Preceded in death by his parents, Isom Richard and Mary Lee Gillum, wife Barbara Ellen Walker Gillum, sisters Maxine Gillum, Juanita Jean Gillum and Dorothy Louise Young, brothers Howard Gillum, Paul Edward Gillum and Alben Joseph Gillum.

He is survived by his children Darcy Guenat and Jeff (Tami) Gillum, grandchildren Lisa (Jeremy) Zgarba, Katie (Kevin) Tullous, Sarah Guenat, Daniel Guenat and Samuel Gillum, great grandchildren Joseph, Kaydance, Hannah, and Bella Zgarba and Kamri Tullous. Don is also survived by his sister, Daphna Marie Arthur, and brothers Ira Richard Gillum and Ralph Douglas Gillum as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.