Robert “Terry” Gilliland, age 79, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Mitchell High School Football Stadium. Casual attire is encouraged. A reception will be held at 16thEmpire at 1605 Avenue A in Scottsbluff, NE immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Carpenter Center in Scottsbluff or CASA of Scotts Bluff County. Online condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com
Terry was born January 24, 1942, in Garden City, Kansas, to J.R. and Elizabeth Gilliland. Terry graduated from Sidney High School in Sidney, NE, and received a bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from Kearney State College. He married Sonya Vasquez on August 2, 1962. They spent most of their married life in western Nebraska.
Terry was a long-time educator serving as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. Terry started his career as a teacher and coach at the West Kearney Boys Training School in Kearney, NE. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Terry taught and coached in the Scottsbluff Public School system. He then went on to coach football and baseball at Peru State College where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He spent the last twenty-seven years of his career in Mitchell, where he was able to coach his two sons and two of his grandsons in football and track. He has been recognized in many ways for his contributions to youth and high school sports. The Nebraska High School Athletic Association honored his long-time service and contributions by awarding him the Athletic Director of the Year. He has coached the Western Nebraska All-star Football Game and served several terms on its board, twice being the committee president. He has been so dedicated to his time coaching that a track award has been created in his name: The Terry Gilliland Outstanding Male and Female Athlete for the Mitchell Track Invitational. Terry considered his greatest accomplishment as a mentor and friend to hundreds of former players and students.
Unable to fully retire, Terry served two terms as a Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education member. He also served as a volunteer child advocate for CASA of Scotts Bluff County. In addition, he spent countless hours as a volunteer track coach and supporting many activities in Scottsbluff and Mitchell.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend, Sonya Gilliland of Scottsbluff; brother Tom, of Austin, TX; four children: Tanya (Mitch) Carter of Castle Pines, CO, Todd of North Platte, Traci of Scottsbluff, and Troy (Michelle) of Cleveland, OH; nine grandchildren: Lauren (Ben) Hahn of Colorado Springs, CO, Paige (Adam) Frye of Parker Colorado, Reid Carter of Castle Rock, CO, Drew Gilliland of The United States Army, Hannah Gilliland of Lincoln, NE, Drake Gilliland of Scottsbluff, NE, Max Gilliland, Zane Gilliland, and Cecilia Gilliland all of Cleveland, OH; four great-grandchildren Carter, Colton, and Cade Hahn of Colorado Springs, CO, and Denny Frye of Parker, CO; and numerous friends across the state also mourn the loss of Terry.
He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ruby and John Vasquez, and parents, Elizabeth and J.R. Gilliland.
