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IN LOVING MEMORY OF James Prather Gill
James Prather
Gill
Nov 25, 1933 — Oct 3, 2016
Yuma
James Prather Gill's Obituary
James Prather Gill was born November 25th, 1933 in Leesville, Louisiana. The only child of William Floyd and Jenni Zeagler Gill.
James, known as "Prather" when he was growing up in Louisiana, attended schools in Glenmora, Louisiana, graduating in 1952.
As a teenager, Jim assisted his Father in running the family cattle business, as well as the Gill Grocery Store in Glenmora. Jim had stories of customers keeping charge accounts at his Father's store, recounting the generosity of the elder Gill, who never turned away a family who needed to feed their children. Jim spent much time on horseback as a young man.
Jim attended Louisiana State University where he participated in college-sponsored rodeo events. He joined the Naval Reserve while still in High School, in 1951. In 1954, Jim signed on with the United States Air Force as a Non Commissioned Officer.
In 1957, Jim was stationed in Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. In those days, he was one of the few single airmen with a car. One of his buddies asked to borrow Jim's car to take out a pretty nursing student. Jim countered by suggesting they could double date…if the other airman could get Jim a date.
Evalyn Anne Rogers agreed to accompany Jim and the other couple on a blind date. Upon calling for a second date, Jim was surprised to hear Evalyn ask him to take her to Oklahoma. While calculating the cost of gas to take this young lady across state lines, Evalyn went on to explain that the movie musical "Oklahoma" had been released to theaters, and she was asking if he could take her to that specific movie as the destination for their second date.
Jim and Evalyn wed November 23, 1957.
The couple went on to have four children over the next five years:
• Jenni Pearl, born September 3rd, 1958
• Angie Virginia, born September 3rd, 1960
• Keith Floyd, born May 2, 1962
• Vicki Lynne, born September 3rd, 1963
Jim spent every Labor Day recounting the stories of having three daughters born on the same day, which typically centered around that holiday.
During a military career that spanned 21 years, Jim, Evalyn and their family lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Wyoming, California, and Missouri. As an aerospace electronic technician, assigned to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Minuteman I unit, Jim made many overseas trips. He was called to serve in Viet Nam just as the war was declared over. Jim retired honorably in 1975, with the rank, Master Sergeant.
Following his military retirement, the family settled in Arkansas, where Jim and Evalyn ran a small diner for about two years. In 1977, Jim went to work for the United States Postal Service, and relocated to Little Rock, then to Texas, New Orleans, and across the U.S. on a mobile electronic technician maintenance team. Jim retired from the Federal Government in 1993.
Accustomed to relocating, Jim and Evalyn decided to retire to Yuma, Arizona. However, anticipating the birth of their first grandchild, they relocated to Crawford, Texas. Jim often teased there were two women in his life: His wife, Evalyn, and "the other woman", granddaughter, Rebekah Lynne.
In 1999, Jim and Evalyn followed daughter Angie and granddaughter Rebekah back to Yuma, Arizona. A grandson, Austin Philip Roman, was born in 2000. Both grandchildren were blessed to have their grandparents as their first caregivers in life.
Twice retired, Jim returned to work for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, as a jailer. He retired for the third and final time after five years on that job.
A lifelong Southern Baptist, church attendance was an important part of the life of James and Evalyn Gill. Jim served as Deacon under his great friend, Charles Tyson, and current pastor, David Lindgens, until a stroke in 2014 forced him to give up his formal duties. His friendship with Charles extended into Charles' retirement, and Jim delighted in pointing out that Charles was his elder by 89 days.
Jim was a 50-plus year member of both the Masonic Order and Order of Eastern Star. He delighted in working on the memorization required to complete duties in various offices held with these two esteemed organizations.
Jim's joy in becoming a Grandfather was only exceeded by his joy in becoming a Great Grandfather in December 2015 to Evalynne Rose Corbin. He took special pride knowing his great granddaughter was named after the love of his life, his wife, Evalyn Anne Gill. (To say he had any influence in that decision was an understatement!)
James Prather Gill was preceded in death by his daughter Jenni Pearl Gill Moore; two infant sisters who he looked forward to meeting in Heaven; and his parents.
James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Evalyn Anne Rogers Gill; daughters Angie (Philip) Roman and Vicki (Miguel) Delgado, all of Yuma; son, Keith Gill of Dallas, Texas; Son In Law, Gary (Cindy) Moore, of Conway, Arkansas; Two Grandchildren, granddaughter Rebekah (Ryan) Corbin, parents of Great Grandchild, Evalynne Rose; and grandson Austin Roman. He is also survived by three step grandchildren: Shelly (David) Brown, and their sons Corey, Jacob, and Ethan, all of Conway, Arkansas; JoyLyne Roman, and her children, Trevor, Noah, and Gabrielle; Krystal (Jake) Arsaga, and their children, Lane, Blake, and Dallas, all of Bakersfield, California.
Among his many precious friends, two hold a special place in his heart. Mahesh and Sonal Subbu came to Yuma and were soon 'adopted' by Jim and Evalyn. Jim came to earn the nickname, "PaPa Bear" and Evalyn "Mama Bear" and Jim was known to drop in unannounced to the Subbu's medical practice just to say hello and drop off a $1 Bill inscribed "Love from PPB" (Love from Papa Bear). Mahesh and Sonal were also instrumental in making Jim's passing from this life as peaceful as possible through compassionate guidance and direction.
Funeral arrangements are made through All Saints Memorial Chapel. A Memorial Celebration is planned Friday, October 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1000 East 24th Street, Yuma, Arizona, with all guests invited to participate in a covered dish (pot luck) meal to follow in the church fellowship hall. The Honor Guard from Luke Air Force Base will be in attendance.
James, known as "Prather" when he was growing up in Louisiana, attended schools in Glenmora, Louisiana, graduating in 1952.
As a teenager, Jim assisted his Father in running the family cattle business, as well as the Gill Grocery Store in Glenmora. Jim had stories of customers keeping charge accounts at his Father's store, recounting the generosity of the elder Gill, who never turned away a family who needed to feed their children. Jim spent much time on horseback as a young man.
Jim attended Louisiana State University where he participated in college-sponsored rodeo events. He joined the Naval Reserve while still in High School, in 1951. In 1954, Jim signed on with the United States Air Force as a Non Commissioned Officer.
In 1957, Jim was stationed in Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. In those days, he was one of the few single airmen with a car. One of his buddies asked to borrow Jim's car to take out a pretty nursing student. Jim countered by suggesting they could double date…if the other airman could get Jim a date.
Evalyn Anne Rogers agreed to accompany Jim and the other couple on a blind date. Upon calling for a second date, Jim was surprised to hear Evalyn ask him to take her to Oklahoma. While calculating the cost of gas to take this young lady across state lines, Evalyn went on to explain that the movie musical "Oklahoma" had been released to theaters, and she was asking if he could take her to that specific movie as the destination for their second date.
Jim and Evalyn wed November 23, 1957.
The couple went on to have four children over the next five years:
• Jenni Pearl, born September 3rd, 1958
• Angie Virginia, born September 3rd, 1960
• Keith Floyd, born May 2, 1962
• Vicki Lynne, born September 3rd, 1963
Jim spent every Labor Day recounting the stories of having three daughters born on the same day, which typically centered around that holiday.
During a military career that spanned 21 years, Jim, Evalyn and their family lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Wyoming, California, and Missouri. As an aerospace electronic technician, assigned to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Minuteman I unit, Jim made many overseas trips. He was called to serve in Viet Nam just as the war was declared over. Jim retired honorably in 1975, with the rank, Master Sergeant.
Following his military retirement, the family settled in Arkansas, where Jim and Evalyn ran a small diner for about two years. In 1977, Jim went to work for the United States Postal Service, and relocated to Little Rock, then to Texas, New Orleans, and across the U.S. on a mobile electronic technician maintenance team. Jim retired from the Federal Government in 1993.
Accustomed to relocating, Jim and Evalyn decided to retire to Yuma, Arizona. However, anticipating the birth of their first grandchild, they relocated to Crawford, Texas. Jim often teased there were two women in his life: His wife, Evalyn, and "the other woman", granddaughter, Rebekah Lynne.
In 1999, Jim and Evalyn followed daughter Angie and granddaughter Rebekah back to Yuma, Arizona. A grandson, Austin Philip Roman, was born in 2000. Both grandchildren were blessed to have their grandparents as their first caregivers in life.
Twice retired, Jim returned to work for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, as a jailer. He retired for the third and final time after five years on that job.
A lifelong Southern Baptist, church attendance was an important part of the life of James and Evalyn Gill. Jim served as Deacon under his great friend, Charles Tyson, and current pastor, David Lindgens, until a stroke in 2014 forced him to give up his formal duties. His friendship with Charles extended into Charles' retirement, and Jim delighted in pointing out that Charles was his elder by 89 days.
Jim was a 50-plus year member of both the Masonic Order and Order of Eastern Star. He delighted in working on the memorization required to complete duties in various offices held with these two esteemed organizations.
Jim's joy in becoming a Grandfather was only exceeded by his joy in becoming a Great Grandfather in December 2015 to Evalynne Rose Corbin. He took special pride knowing his great granddaughter was named after the love of his life, his wife, Evalyn Anne Gill. (To say he had any influence in that decision was an understatement!)
James Prather Gill was preceded in death by his daughter Jenni Pearl Gill Moore; two infant sisters who he looked forward to meeting in Heaven; and his parents.
James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Evalyn Anne Rogers Gill; daughters Angie (Philip) Roman and Vicki (Miguel) Delgado, all of Yuma; son, Keith Gill of Dallas, Texas; Son In Law, Gary (Cindy) Moore, of Conway, Arkansas; Two Grandchildren, granddaughter Rebekah (Ryan) Corbin, parents of Great Grandchild, Evalynne Rose; and grandson Austin Roman. He is also survived by three step grandchildren: Shelly (David) Brown, and their sons Corey, Jacob, and Ethan, all of Conway, Arkansas; JoyLyne Roman, and her children, Trevor, Noah, and Gabrielle; Krystal (Jake) Arsaga, and their children, Lane, Blake, and Dallas, all of Bakersfield, California.
Among his many precious friends, two hold a special place in his heart. Mahesh and Sonal Subbu came to Yuma and were soon 'adopted' by Jim and Evalyn. Jim came to earn the nickname, "PaPa Bear" and Evalyn "Mama Bear" and Jim was known to drop in unannounced to the Subbu's medical practice just to say hello and drop off a $1 Bill inscribed "Love from PPB" (Love from Papa Bear). Mahesh and Sonal were also instrumental in making Jim's passing from this life as peaceful as possible through compassionate guidance and direction.
Funeral arrangements are made through All Saints Memorial Chapel. A Memorial Celebration is planned Friday, October 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1000 East 24th Street, Yuma, Arizona, with all guests invited to participate in a covered dish (pot luck) meal to follow in the church fellowship hall. The Honor Guard from Luke Air Force Base will be in attendance.
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Funeral Services for James Prather Gill
Memorial Service
October
7
Friday
Immanuel Baptist Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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