Henry Gillham

A beloved member of his community, Thomas “Hank” Gillham, of Burns Flat, Oklahoma passed away on July 20, 2018. Born on June 7, 1953 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Manuel “M.P.” and Susie Gillham. Hank was a younger brother to Phil and older brother to siblings Mary and Jim. A lifelong Oklahoman, Hank grew up spending many hours with his beloved Uncle Marcus, siblings and many cousins. Hank enlisted in the United States Army in 1971 and proudly served his country in Vietnam from February 4, 1971 to August 7, 1972. Upon his return, he married Lynn in 1973, becoming a father to her three children, Michelle, Tina and Missy. The family relocated to Burns Flat in 1977, when Hank was employed by Schlumberger. Hank and Lynn raised their two children Stella and Katie and granddaughter, Shontyl. On June 20, 2006, Hank married Twilla (Kness) and helped raise her son, Justin Wilson. Hank worked for Schlumberger for 19 years. After leaving Schlumberger, he served his community by volunteering at the First Baptist Church of Burns Flat, helping to start the Burns Flat Volunteer Fire Department, sought out a variety of training, to better serve his community, which includes: Fire Rescue Training, Medic for Ambulance Services, Advanced Life Support, Hazmat Training, Jaws of Life Training and a variety of other training courses. He subsequently taught these courses to many in his community as well as the surrounding communities. He was proud to be an instructor for OSU Fire Service. In 1995, Hank and fellow volunteer firefighters helped provide rescue and recovery efforts in the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1997, Hank began working for the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Park and the Town of Burns Flat. Hank received special recognition for Dedication and Outstanding Service from 1993-2005 in EMS. He was awarded the following medals from the U. S. Army: Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Service Medal w/60 device, 1 Overseas Service Bar, Army Expert Qualification w/rifle Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and received a Certificate of Appreciation for his service in the Armed Forces of the United States from January 5, 1971 to December 17, 1973 ending in rank as Specialist Four. Hank was a gentle person who always greeted everyone with a kind word and a smile. He enjoyed cooking, spending time with family and friends, and playing with his grandson, Owen. Hank is survived by his wife, Twilla Gillham; her son, Justin Wilson of Burns Flat, Oklahoma and his wife Savannah and their son Owen, as well as his daughters, Stella Gillham, Katie Howard, Michelle H., Tina Gillham and Missy Beckett; his granddaughter, Shontyl Murray; his brothers, Phillip Gillham and his family, Jim Gillham and his family; sister, Mary Ellen Boatman and her family; his parents, Manuel and Susie Gillham and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Services for Thomas “Hank” Henry Gillham will be conducted at the Wolf Freewill Baptist Church of Wolf, Oklahoma on July 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Jim Gillham officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at Wolf Cemetery, Wolf, Oklahoma. In addition, a memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.. Serving as Casket bearers are the firefighters of western Oklahoma. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole, Oklahoma.   Funeral Information: July 26, 2018, 10:30 AM