James Gillum

Graveside services are scheduled for Saturday, November 18 at the Pinon Cemetery in Pinon, New Mexico for James Robert Gillum of Cedar Creek, Texas.

Mr. Gillum , 78, died Monday, November 13, 2017 at his home with his wife by his side.

Dan Bell will officiate at the services. Pallbearers will be Dan Copeland, Trey Lewis, Odie Prather, James Dean Gillum, Justin Mejia, and Juan Granillo. Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Watts, Dalton Bell, Nick Gage, Jack Copeland, Gastin Lewis, and Bryan Prather.

Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. The family will be receiving visitors from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

James Robert Gillum (Jim) was born in Ashland, Kentucky on October 8, 1939. From there, he moved with his family to Houston, Texas, where he spent a few years alternating with time spent in Kentucky. He started school in Marshall, Illinois, and then moving to California before the end of that school year. This pattern was established and he moved often across the country, spending the last three years of high school in two different towns in Louisiana. When he finished school, Jim joined the U.S. Army and continued his nomadic lifestyle. He served the last part of his enlistment in Germany. Afterward he settled in Houston and met Phyllis Sowell. They married in 1963 and lived the next eleven years in three different towns in the Beaumont, Texas, area.

In 1965, their twin sons were born in Port Arthur, Texas. One of the twins, Randall Lane, did not survive. Russell Wayne lived until he was 34. In 1974, Jim and his family moved to the ranch at Piñon, New Mexico. He grew roots on his ranch and his heart remained there for the rest of his life. Due to his health, it was necessary to move to Central Texas where he spent the last five years. Although it was not his first choice, the move allowed him to live longer, stay close to his family, and meet his grandson, Justin Mejia, Justin's wife Jentry, and his great-grandson, Jaxton.

Preceding him in death, are his parents, I.W. Gillum Sr. and Gertrude (Hillman), his brother Ira Jr., and his sons Randall and Russell. Surviving him are his wife Phyllis; his brother John Gillum and Melanie; sisters Lois Whidden, Mary Ellen Yeakle, and Elizabeth Lube; daughter-in-law, Ann Gillum and her daughter Christi Gonzales; and his niece Robyn Abernathy (who is like a daughter) and her family.

Jim is also survived by foster daughter, Robin Punneo, and her family; grandsons James Dean Gillum and family; Justin Mejia and family; and the grandson of his heart, Juan Granillo and family. Other survivors include nieces Pam Wolfson, Sharon Hall, and Karen Emmons, and nephews David Yeakle and Cade Lube.

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