Richard M. Gilliland went home to our Lord, Jesus Christ, on August 3, 2023, at the age of 76. Richard was born to Floyd and Faye Gilliland in Milan, Tennessee. On December 3, 1963, only days after he turned 17 years old and in the midst of the Vietnam war, Richard willingly enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was not slated to go to war but his patriotism drove him to volunteer. Richard served a tour of duty in the Central Highlands of Vietnam with some service along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Richard was especially proud of his service in air defense artillery with the nuclear-capable Nike Hercules and with the Pershing Missile. Richard was honorably discharged as an E5 SP/5, on August 28, 1972.
In 1966, while stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, Richard met his wife, Dora. They married on April 3, 1970 and remained in El Paso, Texas to raise their four children, Gabriela, Laura, Richard, and Zachary. Richard and Dora were married for over 50 years and, if you knew Richard, you knew that he had the most endearing and deepest love for Dora.
After discharging from the U.S. Army, Richard did not lose his sense of patriotism and thus moved on to become a Veterans Employment Representative and staunch advocate for veterans at the Texas Employment Commission. Richard also devoted his time to community service with organizations such as the Optimist Club, Flags Across America, Fort Bliss National Cemetery, and the Texas State Rifle Association’s Youth and JROTC Enrichment Programs. He later expanded into serving Our Savior, Jesus, through The Knights of Columbus Council 638 where he was a treasurer, Grand Knight, and most recently, District Deputy. Richard also completed Tepeyac Institute training to become an Extraordinary Communion Minister for the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Texas. He served at Saint Joseph's Church. Throughout his life, Richard held an unwavering faith in God, which he blissfully shared with strangers and friends alike.
Richard now joins his parents, Floyd and Faye, his brother and sisters, Floyd Jr., Lana and Lisa, and his dog Excalibur, in Heaven. Richard is survived by his wife Dora, his four children Gabriela, Laura (Danny), Richard (Ana), and Zachary, his three grandchildren, Amelia, Reagan, and Kiley, his sister, Gina, and his dog, Ellie.
Visitation for Richard will be held Monday, August 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Rosary at 7:00 PM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. A graveside service will follow Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelKM.com for the Gilliland family.
