A celebration of Ronnie's life will be held Wednesday for longtime horseman Ronnie Gilliam.

© Courtesy Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home

FORT GIBSON, OK–APRIL 11, 2025–Ronnie Gilliam peacefully passed away on April 10, 2025, at home with his loving wife by his side. He lived a life full of grit and perseverance.

A celebration of Ronnie's life will be 2 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Fort Gibson, with Karl Meyers eulogizing and Brother Butch Cook officiating. Greg Cullum, Laray Ross, Karl Myers, Brad Schell, Justin Cole, and Frank Randall will serve as honorary urn bearers.

Ronnie was born on Dec 31, 1946, the 4th of nine children, and 1st son of Frank and Dorothy Gilliam. He grew up on a farm, which taught him about hard work and his love for the outdoors.

Ronnie married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Bradley, and together they raised their daughter, Jenny Rainbolt.

Ronnie always enjoyed horses; his friends would say he was born horseback. Some of his favorite memories from his earlier life were traveling to rodeos for steer wrestling with Jimmy Bradley and other friends. He built a Quarter Hhorse racing stable and had success with many of his own racehorses.

Ronnie worked for Fort Howard (now Georgia Pacific) for over 30 years. He started as a backhoe operator for Daniels Construction Company, as they built Fort Howard. He was promoted many times due to his unique ability to analyze operations and make them more efficient.

Ronnie's belief in "doing it right the first time" was instrumental to his successful career. He retired as Maintenance Superintendent in 2006.

Ronnie married the love of his life, Linda Finley, on October 29, 1990. They enjoyed working side by side for over 30 years. They found their dream property where they built a home, cattle ranch, and rodeo arena together.

He was happiest when he could share his knowledge with others, and it filled his heart to teach Linda the ranching way of life: from working and doctoring cattle to driving a tractor, baling hay, and fixing fences. He loved Linda like a rancher loves the land: deeply, patiently, and without end.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy Gilliam; sisters, Bobbie Dause and Pat Stewart; and brother, Bill Gilliam.

Ronnie leaves behind his cherished wife, Linda; daughters, Jenny Rainbolt & husband Kevin and Sammye French & husband Jimmy; grandchildren Sunnye French, Thomas French, and Brody Rainbolt; great granddaughter Finley Kindle; sisters, Peggy McClellan, Frankie Sue Gilliam, Linda Kae Norfolk, Donna Lennon, and June Box; extended family; and many friends.

The family of Ronald Glenn Gilliam has entrusted his care, cremation, and service to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson.

Online condolences may be left for the Gilliam family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.