Jon Gilliam Obit

Jon Gilliam Obituary

 

He was not on the list.

Jon Ray Gilliam, our beloved husband, father and friend, passed away on July 2, 2020 at the age of 81.

A memorial service to celebrate Jon's life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2020, at StoneWater Church, 911 E US Hwy 377 #4, Granbury, TX at 11 a.m. 

Jon was born on Oct. 22, 1938 in Oklahoma City, OK. He was the only child of the late Walter & Anna Mary Gilliam. He had a wonderful life that allowed him to achieve many personal goals. At an early age he knew he wanted to play football and be a cowboy. At the age of 7 he started playing football, which would lead him to play at Hillcrest High School in Dallas, Tx; East Texas State University in Commerce, TX; and then professional football from 1960 1967. Jon was signed to the Dallas Texans and moved to Kansas City when Lamar Hunt turned the Texans into the Kansas City Chiefs. They won the AFL championship in 1966 and in Jan. 1967 Jon played Center position in what is now considered the 1st Super Bowl and as team co-captain participating in the game opening coin toss.

After injuries ended his football career, he worked with his father at Lone Star Brush and Chemical Co. and ranched in Westminister, Tx. He had many other careers throughout his life: Oil Drilling, Life Insurance Agent and Financial Advisor. In his 50's, he and his wife, Becki, developed a sincere love for Christ and had many wonderful years serving and supporting church communities in Dallas, Waxahachie and Granbury, Tx.

Jon is survived by his wife Becki Campbell Gilliam, his daughters Marty Gilliam French & husband, Michael; Jeray Gilliam Burgess and husband James; son-in-law Johnny Paulsel, grandchildren Russell, Renee and Rand French, Chandler Burgess, Jordan Burgess Hopper and great-grandchildren Rylee and Aiden Hopper; along with many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tabra Gilliam Paulsel.

 

Personal information

Born    October 22, 1938

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Died    July 2, 2020 (aged 81)

Granbury, Texas, U.S.

Listed height   6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Listed weight  240 lb (109 kg)

Career information

High school     Hillcrest (Dallas, Texas)

College           

Oklahoma State

Texas A&M Commerce

NFL draft        1960: 14th round, 161st overall pick

AFL draft        1960

Career history

Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1961-1967)

Awards and highlights

2× AFL champion (1962, 1966)

AFL All-Star (1961)

Career AFL statistics

Games played  76

Games started  73