Obituary

Dean LaRay Gillham, 96, of Catoosa, Oklahoma passed away November 25, 2018. He was born October 7, 1922 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Clell and Gladys Gillham. On December 16, 2013 he married Lacenda Gillham. Dean graduated from Ponca City High School and worked with his dad on the farm until joining the Army Air Corps. During WWII in 1942 he served as an AAF Technical front aerial gunner, serving in Europe receiving several medals including Good Conduct Medal, 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, EAME Service Ribbon, Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star.

While in Vienna, he decided to perform a good samaritan service by feeding Vienna Sausages to the people. His mother and father sent them in care packages. “He hated Vienna Sausages” so he threw them out of the plane. In 1951 Dean went to work for American Airlines giving them 30 years as a mechanic. Dean moved to Catoosa living there 40 years. Dean loved flying and working on his own planes. He loved watching tennis and cashing tickets at the casinos.

Dean is preceded in death by his first wife: Ynette Wittner; second wife: Imogene (Geanie) Gillham; mother: Gladys Gillham and father: Clell James Gillham.

Survivors include his wife: Lacenda Gillham; son: Gordon and wife Elaine of Colorado Springs, Colorado, their son Darrin and wife Kimberly; daughter: April and her daughters, Blakley and Isley also of Colorado; step-son: Jeff and his son Joshua; step-daughters: Amanda and Cairh; step-grandchildren: Chance, Jaden and Owen.