John Edward Gillum

John Edward Gillum, 71, passed away on January 3, 2017, in Dripping Springs, Texas following a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sharon Gillum; his only son, Jon Gillum and wife Leah; his beloved grandchildren Grant and Nora Gillum; his sister, Dorothy Badgett and husband Donnie; his brother, Ron Gillum; his sister-in-law, Nicka Howard and husband Paul; numerous nieces and nephews, including Kimberly Diamond, Tiffany Bledsoe, and Roilyn Lentz; and many other cherished relatives and friends who called him “Johnny”.

Born in Goose Creek, Texas, the son of John Henry and Dantie Gillum, Johnny was a long-time resident of Baytown. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1963, attended Lee College, and served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 with a tour in Vietnam. He met his wife, Sharon, at the El Capitan Theater in Pasadena, Texas, and they married in 1969 at Central Baptist Church in Baytown. In 1968, Johnny began working at the Exxon Refinery in Baytown, from which he retired in 2000 after 32 years of service. Their son, Jon, was born in 1975 and Johnny proudly saw him graduate from Ross S. Sterling High School, Rice University, the L.B.J. School of Public Affairs, and the University of Texas School of Law.

Johnny enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. In 2008 he and Sharon moved to the Texas hill country to be close to their son and grandchildren, who called him “Gramps”. Once there, they enjoyed traveling with their family, including memorable trips to Alaska, Arizona, Wyoming, Florida, and California.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas. Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Farley Chapel Cemetery in Shepherd, Texas.

Pace-Stancil Funeral Home
303 E. Crockett St.
Cleveland, TX 77327
(281)592-2641