Tex Owen Gilliam

Tex Owen Gilliam, 80, of Fort Gibson, was born May 14, 1940 in Muskogee, OK to Ira Herbert and Buelah Lee (Harris) Gilliam and peacefully passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at his home in Fort Gibson. Tex received his formal education at Riverside School in Muskogee and SDA School in Gentry, Arkansas. In August 1963, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a specialist with AMeds and was honorably discharged October 1965. In his younger years, Tex worked with his family at Gilliam Broom & Supply. He also worked at Fort Gibson Public Schools in the Maintenance Department before working at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. In his later years, Tex worked with his family again at Strike Pipeline. He was a faithful member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Muskogee for many years. When Tex was not at work, you could find him with a fishing pole in hand. He loved to travel with friends and family. He will be missed by all that knew him. Tex is lovingly survived by his wife, Sandra Gilliam of the home; sons, Kelly Gilliam and his wife Dianna of Fort Gibson, OK and Jeffrey Gilliam and his wife Crystal of Louin, MS; grandchildren, Brock Gilliam, Morgan Gilliam, and Jace Gilliam all of Fort Gibson, OK; Lexi Gilliam of Muskogee, OK; Zack Gregory and Macie Gregory of Conroe, TX; and Tanner Guynes of Louin, MS; special family members, Anthony Harris of Conroe, TX; John Piragine of Brazil; Ray Isbell of Braggs, OK; and Jeff McElhaney of Hitchita, OK; nephews, Steve Bietz, Doug Bietz, Kevin Gilliam, Greg Gilliam, and Kent Gilliam; sister in laws, Martha Shipley, Barbara McFarland, and Bettie Jordan; brother in law, Rowe Dean Ragsdale; cousins, Maxine Dixon, Vicky Beutler, and Randy Gilliam; extended family and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Irel Dean Bietz; and brothers, Charles Gilliam, Delano Gilliam, and Lorin Gilliam. Viewing for Tex will be 12PM-7PM Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson. A graveside service celebrating Tex’s life will be 2PM Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery will Jerry ‘Butch’ Cook officiating. Brock Gilliam, Morgan Gilliam, Jace Gilliam, Rick Rolland, Greg Gilliam, and Rod McFarland will serve as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be William Raper, Claude Fields, John Gragg, Jerry Gragg, Mike Gragg, James Holmes, Lyle Tolbert, Steve Paris, and Ricky White. Masks and social distancing are required at cemetery. The family of Tex Owen Gilliam has entrusted his care, services and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Tex Owen Gilliam

May 14, 1940 - December 31, 2020