Danny and me♥️
I miss him so much 
He’s been on my my mind a lot

Tommie and I have been friends since elementary.  This is how we met Dan.

Dan was dedicated to his wife, children and friends.   Such a wonderful man.  

Our daughter,  as a teen, spent a summer with Dan and Tommie.  Dan became a 2nd Dad to her
that summer; always making sure she was where  she needed to be at all times during her stay.  They had a special bond and  maintained that bond as she got older.

Dan was always the perfect host;
taking us on tours and making sure we were having a good time while visiting.  He will not be forgotten!

I'm sure Dan will make himself available when we meet him again on those streets of gold for our last tour.

I always loved to look at the photos on Facebook to see what Danny’s newest project was. He was so talented and he would often document the steps on the project. I also loved to see all of the old photos of family that he would post. He will be greatly missed! Tell your mom and dad (my aunt and uncle) and ma and pa that I love them and give them a hug for me. Love you Danny!

Danny and I were very close growing up! Especially since there was only 2 1/2 years difference in our ages. I became his Aunt when he was born! When we were really young my Mom, his Grandma, babysit him at our house for a while. We both remember we each “had a knee” for nap time when we would sit on her lap in the rocking chair. She would sing to us and tell us stories until we fell asleep on her lap. Found out later when I was at school he wanted to sit on “my knee” and when he wasn’t there, I wanted to sit “on his” knee. 🙂Awesome memories!
As we got older, I spent the night a lot at my sisters with Danny and Sherri. Many wonderful memories of that. Especially in the summer
Then in later years, Janet and I would meet up with him at Quicks…the hangout on Classen where we drove up and down Classen in my Mustang!
Even though Danny moved to California, we continued to stay in touch through texts,FB and phone calls. That closeness was always there. 
He had the kindest heart, a giving heart and loving heart for family. He was very creative and handy with his hands. I’m sure a lot of that he learned from his Dad and my Dad..his Grandpa. I think the kind heart and compassion he inherited from my Dad (and his Mom)
He worked for Dad a lot growing up.  But when we were younger, he and I also spent a lot of time playing “hide and seek” and “elevator” in those huge houses my Dad did the tile work in. We talked about that a lot after growing up. 
Janet, Danny and I had some fun times together too. Not going to say everything that included though 😜
Danny has a special place in my heart.  I am having a hard time with the realization that I won’t see or talk to him again on this earth. But I have so many precious memories that I will cherish forever in my mind and heart. And…I know for SURE that we will be together soon, and then… forever
And when it’s my time, I KNOW he will be at the gate to welcome me in. 
I love you Danny Lee❤️

Through thirty-eight years of wonderful friendship, we have known Dan and his wife, Tommie, to be the best of true friends.  Dan was a talented, hard working father and devoted husband.  He pursued perfection in everything he did and usually succeeded.  Dan was a remarkable and loyal friend who was always there for you...no matter what.  He shall be so greatly missed and never forgotten.
Diane and Wayne Westermann

Remember your best friend as a kid, that was my cousin Danny.

In Memory of My Brother Dan (part 2)

May 30, 2024

Dan and mom were the designated photographers documenting our trips, but Dan was always the one who captioned them. He captioned one “A Thorn Among the Roses.” The picture was of me at Queen Victora Garden Park in Vancouver Canada!

He loved old cowboy movies, music by the Sons of the Pioneers, reading, museums, and being the best host and guide to all things California.

A few years ago, when I visited him after a life changing event, he decided to take me on a whirlwind tour. I arrived on Saturday; we went to Disneyland on Sunday; then Monday, Dan, my sister-in-law Tommie, and I loaded up the SUV and headed north. We stayed in Cambria, then went on to Hurst Castle, over to Yosemite, down to the Seqouia’s and back to Anaheim by Thursday! Just in time to go to Disney one more time before I headed home on Saturday.

He had all the best qualities of mom and dad. He had mom’s witty, dry sense of humor, her creativity, compassion, and her love for family. He had dad’s work ethic and his ability to make and fix everything. He was smart and fun to be around. 

He was the best brother, ever. He left Oklahoma for Texas after college, then transferred to California where he lived for 36 years. 

This time, he may have moved a little further away. The next time I see him, it won’t be for a visit. I’ll be moving too! Hopefully, next door! We will live forever, in a room, that Jesus built and designed just for us, in the Father’s House.

He is greatly missed by this sister.
Sherri Gilliam Hayes

In Memory of My Brother Dan (Part 1)

May 30, 2024

There is not enough space on this memorial website to post almost sixty-nine years of memories of my big brother Dan. He has been part of my life for all my life. 

Some of my favorites are his Christmas pranks. He loved wrapping my gifts in weird packages and of course putting them under the tree early. One time it looked like a broom. It turned out to be two vinyl LP’s, The Beatles Abbey Road and Tom Jones Live. The handle was a rolled up poster of Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. 

Another time, it was a tiny one-inch square box that he insisted was a pair of shoes. That one tuned out to really be shoes; Barbie shoes in small plastic case along with a folded up twenty-dollar bill to buy shoes (Twenty dollars bought a nice pair of shoes back then.)

 I remember summer vacations to Colorado. He was always the designated passenger window occupant while I was stuck between him and mom in dad’s bench-seat Ford pickup truck that had no air conditioning! The windows were often down, and Dan would have his hand outside the window making waves in the wind.  Except that time at Yellowstone when there were bears! That window went up fast.
(see Part 2)

Dan and I were best of friends from Grade School through College.  
Dan was a person of great character, a loyal friend and someone who cared about others.
As kids we explored the nearby woods and sand pits together and were pretty much inseparable.
It was Dan & his dad’s interest in Ham Radio and electronics that eventually led me to major in Electrical Engineering. 
Along with Dan!
We commuted to Oklahoma University together and shared several classes.
In college, we gave our hearts to God and began attending First Assembly on South Penn in Oklahoma City.
Since we commuted together, we frequently went to lunch with Pastor Sheaffer, where we learned so much.
I also remember us both hoping for the Rapture to avoid some really tough final exams!
Upon graduation, I stayed in Oklahoma, while Dan’s career took him first to Texas and then to California.
Of course, we weren’t as close with the distance of Oklahoma and California.  However, my admiration, respect and friendship has never diminished.
I look forward to the time when we see each other in Heaven. We can spend lots of time together and catch up on everything.

My mom (Janet Lee Guthery ) was close to Danny growing up . I can remember her always talking about him when I was younger .
I got a chance to meet him again either last year or year before and he gave me a flash drive of pics of my mom and family from their younger years and that meant so much to me ! That he took the time to do that for me ! 
Leah Thomas

OBITUARY

Danny Lee Gilliam

July 18, 1950 – May 16, 2024

Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary

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