Graveside services for Gary Holmes Gilliland, 75 year-old Weatherford, Oklahoma resident, will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Ross Cemetery in Baird, Texas. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Lockstone Funeral Home in Weatherford, Oklahoma. On Friday, November 11, 2016 the family will receive friends at Parker Funeral Home in Baird, Texas from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M.

Gary was born to Haynie Armstrong Gilliland and Margaret Walker Gilliland on January 11, 1941 in Callahan County Hospital in Baird, Texas and passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at home in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Gary was the first of two sons born to Haynie and Margaret with Haynie Judson Gilliland arriving on May 30, 1945. Gary attended the Baird public schools and graduated from Baird High School in 1959. Following graduation, Gary enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and played football for two years. Later, Gary transferred to Texas Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 and a Masters of Education degree in 1968. From 1968 until 1971, Gary taught in the Lubbock Public Schools where he coached football, basketball, baseball, and track. In the fall of 1971, Gary enrolled in the Doctoral program at East Texas State University, receiving the degree in 1974. Following the receipt of this degree, Gary began teaching at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. On June 1, 1977, Gary received a special blessing with the birth of his son, Clayton Holmes Gilliland. During his years of teaching at Southwestern, Gary would be appointed Chairman of Secondary Education, Dean of the School of Education, Chairman of the Department of Psychology, and Associate Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education. Gary retired from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in August of 2006. Gary took great pride in being a native Texan; he has now returned to his beloved Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Vicky of the home; one son, Clay Gilliland and his wife Brandi, two grandchildren Stirling and Hudsen Gilliland of Weatherford; one stepson, Bo Bentley and his wife Misty, three grandchildren, Charlie, Lillie, and Maggie Bentley of Oklahoma City; one stepdaughter, Merideth Herald and her husband Gabe, one granddaughter, Jennings Herald of Oklahoma City; one brother, Jud Gilliland and his wife Karla of San Antonio, Texas; two nieces Annie Looney and her husband Pat and two great nieces, Savannah Rose Looney and Summer Looney of San Antonio; niece Laura Gilliland of San Antonio; one nephew, Boone Gilliland, great niece Katelynn and great nephew Eli Gilliland of Comfort, Texas; niece Kristi Schluter and her husband Alan and great nephew Tye Schuter of Ponder, Texas; and brother-in-law, Rob Roberts and his wife Sandy and nieces Taylor Franks and Reese Roberts of Oklahoma City.