Chuck Gilliam
With heavy hearts we report the passing of our colleague, mentor, and dear friend, Charles ‘Chuck’ Gilliam. Chuck was an inspiration to all he met. He had a kind, encouraging, and patient style as an art teacher. He loved his colored pencil paintings (samples shown above) and inspired and taught all of us with his amazing talent. While he served as our Visual Arts Program Manager, he helped the program grow drawing from his extensive artistic and business experience. In spite of often debilitating pain, he was always there whenever he could be, helping with the visual arts and TAF as a leader, team member, instructor, and volunteer – assisting significantly with the Americana Festival and other projects. Chuck was always helping someone and always so thoughtful of others. With that wry smile and a twinkle in his eye, his sincerity and good humor shined through in everything he contributed. Farewell, dear friend, you will be deeply, deeply missed!
See more of Chuck’s beautiful art: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/charles-gilliam, https://www.treeartgallery.store/future-artists-1, https://www.showyourarts.com/ChuckGilliam
Obituary for Charles Norman Gilliam Jr.
Charles Norman Gilliam, Jr. left this earthly existence to join his Savior on April 9, 2023, Easter Sunday, after an incredible battle with health due to a severe cardiac arrest at the Salt Lake City Veteran Memorial Hospital. Charles Gilliam better known to friends and family as “Chuck” was born on October 19, 1947 in Macon, Georgia to Charles and Doris Gilliam. The eldest of four children, he grew up moving around the world, as his father was career Air Force. His first home outside of Georgia was Mobile, Alabama where he shared memories of days spent running around in boots in the hot sun. A few years later, the family was assigned to a base in Narssarsuak, Greenland, and then they lived in Ohio, Maine and later settled again in Georgia. He always told great stories of life as an Air Force brat even though it was not easy the family worked together as his dad was gone most of the time. During the years as a child, he loved Cub Scouts and Little League baseball as well as playing the trumpet in the band in middle school and high school. He graduated from Northside High School, Class of ’65, in Warner Robins, Georgia.
After graduation, he went to the University of Georgia to pursue studies before he chose to join the United States Air Force on January 5, 1967 in order to bypass being drafted. His service was of great value and high demand as an Air Force Sergeant at Langley Air Force base due to his talent in graphic design. He served stateside beside high ranked officers as well as participated in military funerals playing taps. He served with pride until his honorable discharge in September 18, 1970. His personal experiences developed a deeper love of his country and greater respect for all men and women in the military. He was a true patriot who was deeply rooted in patriotism from his upbringing and loved the Constitution, even carried it with him in later years.
Chuck was born with many gifts. One such gift was that of his love for obtaining knowledge as he was an avid reader that perhaps came from time spent in Greenland as a child. He loved to read about this country and its history as he was a scholar at heart. Another gift was that of art which he continued to develop after his service of country. He decided to complete his education at Georgia State University, where he gained a greater passion for fine arts and illustration. He obtained a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Illustration in December of 1980.
As a Christian at heart, he was introduced to the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1977 by his parents, he learned about the teachings of his Savior and with a profound love for Christ he chose to be baptized. He fully embraced his membership of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in the Church throughout his life. He touched the hearts of others with his humble and strong spirit within the Young Men’s program as president, Sunday School organization as teacher and stake president and leadership roles such as Bishopric counselor and Elders Quorum president.
With his membership of the Church in 1977, he began attending single adult activities and met his wife, Mary Lou Gilliam, on New Year’s Eve. After a six-month courtship, he married Mary Lou in the Washington, D.C. temple for time and all eternity on May 13, 1978. They began their life long partnership in Georgia but shortly thereafter moved to Texas to grow their family and support other family members thus establishing their roots in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.
Through a great Christ-like example of kindness and love, he raised his family in Texas as he followed his passion and gift of art. Throughout the years he prioritized his family as he put aside his fine art endeavors which led him to seek a career path in Graphic Design to support his family. While working in the realm of graphic design, he began his career with ad agencies, then he went on to design various museum displays across the country. He finished his Graphic Design career path as a Creative Director and Trainer for AT&T Yellow ¬¬¬pages where he created training curriculum for new artists to learn how to artistically develop yellow page ads and establish their own style. He was a gifted and inspirational teacher and leader within the art community, church community and at work. In addition, he influenced young minds as a substitute teacher in high schools along with influencing athletes on and off the pitch as he supported his sons’ hobby of soccer. He never failed to touch lives with his leadership skills, passion for life and following his Savior.
In his later years, he and his wife moved to Utah to be closer to children and grandchild as family has always been the core of his drive to life and happiness. While in Utah he continued to share his love of art with the American Fork art association and many other artists. He created beautifully inspired works in subject areas such as: nature, animals, cowboys and Native American Indians, military men, first responders and even Christ. He talked about and shared his gifts every opportunity he was granted and it was truly how he shared the light of Christ. Throughout the life he lived, Chuck accomplished marvelous works, exemplified the gifts that he was blessed with and showed his love for his Father in heaven in every aspect of his life. He was a choice spirit and will be dearly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Doris Gilliam. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Gilliam; his children Deborah (Jay) Oman of Riverton, Utah; Morgan (Crystal) Gilliam of Provo, Utah; Brandon (Nicole) Gilliam of Lindon, Utah; and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters; “Cooker” (David) Ivester; Shayna (Tim) Dickey; and Pat (Donna) Gilliam.
The family expresses their sincerely appreciation to the countless doctors, nurses, friends and family for their love and service during the last moments of his life.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, April 18th, at 11:00 am, at the American Fork 43rd Ward building located at 240 South Center Street, American Fork, Utah, where a Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:45 am. Interment in Utah Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery, 17111 S. Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah.
In lieu of flowers the family has arranged an opportunity through the link below for friends and family to contribute to the honoring of Charles Gilliam.
https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/charles-gilliam-memorial-fund