Jack Calvin Gilley, 90, of Stratford passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015. Jack was born July 25, 1924 in Dawson County near Lamesa, TX to James and Josie Burnett Gilley. He proudly served his country in the Navy during World War II as a torpedo man on the USS Stockdale.

He attended Panhandle A&M College on basketball and baseball scholarships. He received his Master’s in Education from West Texas State University in 1965. Jack was united in marriage on August 25, 1951 in Raton, NM to Donna Mai Oldaker. She preceded him in death in April 2010. 

Jack was involved in the teaching profession from 1951 until his retirement in 1985. He taught in Foss OK, Manchester OK, Reed OK, Channing TX, Goodwell OK, Texhoma TX, Stratford TX, and Plainview Schools in Cimarron County, OK. Following his retirement, he began a second profession of painting houses, refinishing furniture, and carpentry.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Stratford as well as the American Legion Post. He loved hunting pheasant and quail, eating breakfast with friends at the local cafe, drinking coffee with his buddies at “Gophers,” all things rodeo, and all sports (especially Duke basketball).

Survivors include four daughters: Jann Blackerby and husband Larry of Chester, TX; Jackie Gilley of Midwest City, OK; Jeree Hendley and husband Terry of Sweetwater, TX; and Jill Gilley of Midwest City, OK; his granddaughter Donna Jean Blackerby of Naples, TX; one brother, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as the “Fifth Gilley Girl,” Lisa Crabtree.

Jack was memorilized in comments by Texas State Representative Bill Flores in remarks on the floor of the state capitol:   Below is a link to the YouTube video.