Thomas Lyle Gillenwater
March 25, 1925 – October 30, 2021
Thomas Lyle "Gillie" Gillenwater age 96 passed away in Ripley, TN on October 30,2021. He was born in Madison, West Virginia where he grew up and lived in West Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Illinois and Tennessee. Gillie was preceded in death by his parents Thomas E. and Nettie Owens Gillenwater, his brother Jack and sister Lucille Price Wheatley and stepson Marlin Hogue and step-sons-in-law Fred Oslund and Steve Barham. He had many occupations during his long life- musician, artist, sign painter, bus driver and photographer. He built over 200 homes and many public schools in Brevard County Florida in the early 1960's at the start up of the U.S. Space program near Kennedy Space Center. He had a large fence company in Chicago area, ran a restaurant and was a tomato farmer in Tennessee. Gillie is survived by his wife Peggy, six daughters, Pat Overstreet, Barbara Engel, Sharon Schneider Cozart (Jerry), Karen Hartgraves, Rita Fry (Bobby), Sandy Jennens (Al), three sons James "Jim" (Debbie), Tommy and Phillip. Two stepdaughters Barbara Barham and Donna Oslund. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gillie had an enterprising mind, was self taught, had a quick wit and was always ready to share a good joke or story ( listening or telling ) of which he had many. He will be sadly missed. The family extends our thanks to the staff at Ripley Healthcare and Rehabilitation and Avalon Hospice for his care during his long illness. Honoring his request no funeral services will be held.
Halls Funeral Home
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