Update: Saturday is August 23, not the 22nd as previously printed.
The family has announced the homegoing celebration for Gerry Gilliam, a longtime leader in the business and community is Saturday, Aug. 23.
Gerry was born in Joanna, South Carolina, and lived in Texas for over thirty years. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Tony Grimes of the Irving-Carrollton NAACP shared to supporters via email, “Gerry first joined the Irving-Carrollton NAACP Branch in 2009 and became a Silver Life Member in 2013. In 2012 Gerry was elected as the branch’s 1st Vice-President. He also served effectively as the Membership Chair. He was an outspoken and a faithful member of this branch whose presence will surely be missed.” He also served as a voting delegate in his neighborhood precinct for the Presidential election.
Gerry was the owner of G&G Protection, a security guard company that provides protection for private and public entities throughout DFW. G&G Protection has provided security at the XLV Super Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, “Taste of Dallas,” and the Omni Hotel.
Recently, he was honored by WFAA Channel 8 and the Black Chamber of Commerce as a “Quest for Success Award” Recipient. The Quest for Success Award has represented the highest form of recognition for African American entrepreneurship and community service.
Gerry loved the Lord and was a hard worker not only for his business but also for his church. He was a member of Christian Chapel, C.M.E. Church, and affiliated with Greater Allen A.M.E and Carter Temple C.M.E. He supported and contributed to all of the church organizations.
Some would even refer to him as a big brother and/or father figure in the church and’s the community. Gerry believed in helping people and has employed church members and others in the community to work in his company. Gerry had a heart of compassion and was committed to service.
Gerry was a financial Life time member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Many of his Fraternity brothers called him “Heavy Low.” He was affiliated with Theta Alpha Chapter where he has served as assistant keeper of records, Seals, Achievement Week and Retention Chair.
Throughout his career, Gerry received several awards for community service and business achievements. These awards include the Black Contractors small business award, 2014 Dallas Black Chamber Of Commerce Quest for Success Award, 2010 NAACP Presidential Award, Theta Alpha Omega Psi Phi 2009 Founders award, 2012 Omega man of the year and Minority Enterprise Development Week 2009.
Gerry is a man who loved his family so much and truly believed “Family is everything,” and “With God anything is possible.” Everyone knew that Gerry’s daughters were “daddy’s girls.”
He is preceded in death by his parents George and Mattie Gilliam; a sister, Dr. Liz Bell; and a brother, George Gilliam Jr. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Joan Gilliam; two daughter Reniqua and Gerreka Gilliam and grand-daughter Triniti.
Compassion amongst people, committed to service, and a dutiful Christian, Gerry Gilliam was truly a remarkable man.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Gerry Gilliam of Irving, TX. He was very interested in the progress of the alumni organization and became very active during my tenure. Now that I have moved to Houston, TX during March 2012, my plan was to get to see him when I was in the Fort Worth/Dallas area again. I regret not doing that but was looking forward in seeing him aspire to greater plans for the new Young Alumni Organization of Allen University.
Thank you for sharing, I am sure the family will appreciate it.
I was sadden to hear of Jerry’s death. He was a very dear Frat Brother of my brother, Hutch. He will be missed by all. Family keep your hands in God’s loving hands. Jeanette Hutchinson, ALLEN U,