John Charles Gilliam passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 97. He was born on September 19, 1927, in Boulder, Colorado, to Arthur Woodson Gilliam and Marguerite Estella Hubbard Gilliam.
John is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley Gilliam. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Katherine; his brother, Art; his sister, Mary Jane; and his son, Bruce. He is lovingly remembered by his brother Lou of New Mexico; Bruce’s wife Linda; his son, Charles and wife Tonya; and his daughter, Carol; step daughter Nikkii and husband Russell Abbott . He also leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren: Zachery Seifert, Ashley Seifert, Brian Gilliam, Brad Gilliam, Brent Gilliam, Vanessa Dalton, Nathan Gilliam, Brooke Melott, and step grandson Killiann Abbott.
John grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and attended Pleasant View Elementary and Junior High School before graduating from Boulder High School in 1945. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1947, aboard the LST 1076, USS Saratoga, and USS Fall River, and was discharged in Seattle, Washington. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve for six more years.
Following his military service, John pursued higher education at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where he earned his undergraduate degree and played football. He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1952. From 1952 to 1955, John taught business classes and coached football, basketball, and tennis at Brush High School. He later earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Iowa in 1957.
John began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming before moving to Texas Tech University in 1962, where he served as an associate professor of business. Throughout his distinguished career, John served as a visiting professor at numerous institutions, including the University of Colorado in Boulder, the University of Oregon in Eugene, San Francisco State University, and universities in Albany, New York; Beirut, Lebanon; and Cairo, Egypt.
From 1965 to 1968, John worked with the Ford Foundation in Amman, Jordan, on an initiative to help establish a university in Jerusalem. His work was cut short due to regional conflict, prompting his return to Texas Tech, where he continued to teach until his retirement.
John was a passionate educator, a devoted mentor, and a kind-hearted man who dedicated his life to loving and serving others. He made a lasting impact on his students and colleagues and will be remembered for his warmth, integrity, and unwavering dedication to education.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
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