It is with tremendously heavy hearts we announce the passing of Claude Raymond Gilliland at the age of 96. Claude “went to the great truck stop in the sky” February 26, 2019, from his home in Denver, Colorado. Claude was born in Wiggins, Colorado January 14, 1923, to Claude M. and Verna L. (Minor) Gilliland. He married his one true love, Tina (Mary E) Lovato in December of 1961, who proceeded him in death in 1977.
Claude was a long haul driver in the west/southwest of the US for 69 years until his retirement at the age of 86. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t drive and no road too difficult, there was never an engine that he couldn’t repair or a problem he couldn’t engineer a fix for. That bravery and ingenuity served him well while he served as a corporal, 741st Field Infantry, United States Army during World War II. He served on Normandy Beach and the Battle of the Bulge among many other offensives. Along the way he earned numerous awards, among those he received a Jubilee Medal from the French government in 1994 on the 50th anniversary of his participation in the liberation of Paris.
Claude was proceeded in death by his loving wife Tina; parents Claude and Verna Gilliland; brother Junior Gilliland; brother-in-law and sister Henry (Hank) and Betty Miller; brother and sister-in-law Harry and Mary Lou Gilliland; brother-in-law and sister John and Wanda Benes; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Pete and Rose Lovato; brother-in-law Joe Lovato; brother-in-law Jim Dennis; and Great-granddaughter, Uriyah Aguilar.
Claude is survived by his children; Gay (Bruce) Laws of Denver; Claude Raymond Gilliland II of Denver; Joy (Roy) Yehle of Castle Rock; and Merry (Brian) Bartlett of Calgary AB. His grandchildren: Letitia (Christovan); Marissa (Trey); Kyle; Luke; and Joel. His great-grandchildren, Hezekiah; Chloe; Fiona; and Nayeli. His sister, Gladine Herrera of Calgary, AB; brother-in-law Edward Herrera of Calgary AB; sister-in-law Dorothy Dennis of Westminister CO; brother-in-law John Lovato of Englewood CO; sister-in-law Bea Lovato of Pueblo CO. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in which he took great pride.
Viewing Tuesday March 5 at Crown Hill from 4-7 pm, service Wednesday March 6 at Crown Hill Pavilion at 11 am followed by internment at Mount Olivet.
