Richard G. Gillies, CWO3 (Ret.)

Funeral services for Richard G. Gillies, CWO3 (Ret.), “Pastor Rich”, age 63, of Lindale, Texas and Springfield, Virginia and formerly of Paris, Texas are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Charlie Wood officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Lindale City Cemetery with services under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Directors in Lindale, Texas. Richard went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 17, 2013. He was born in Paris, Texas on January 1, 1950 to the late Vernon Gaylord and Dorothea Frances (Swanson) Gillies. Richard served his country for 31 years in the United States Coast Guard where he received 41 medals including the Presidential Accommodation Medal. Rich, as he was known to many, joined the Unisys Corporation in the Spring of 2003 as their Director of Federal Government Continuity Planning. There he quickly established himself as both a respected leader and subject matter expert in creating complex plans for entire Federal Government Agencies to keep functioning after devastating events like 911 and worse. This work took Rich to some of the most heavily fortified government sites in the world where his work was recognized as some of the most innovative ever seen. Rich diligently worked behind the scenes protecting agencies that included DOD, DHS, USCG, DOJ, DOT, CBP and HHS to name a few. Richard was ordained as a pastor on September 12, 2004 at the Mt. Calvary Community Church in Springfield, Virginia and then became known as Pastor Rich. Richard shared the word with his family, friends and all he encountered. As quoted from his own bible, “Stand up and do something for God! Say what must be said! Get in the game! Time is short!” Richard had many talents which included his unique painting skills, his amazing writings, which included poetry, and his master chef skills. “Paca” as his grandchildren lovingly called him, will be dearly missed but his spirit lives in each and every one of us who loved and knew him. Richard is survived by his loving wife of almost 20 years, Barbara Ann (Glover) Gillies of Lindale, Texas; 2 sons & daughter-in-law, Sean Gillies of Lindale, Texas and Dustin & Shelly Van Cleave of Sherman, Texas; 2 daughters & sons-in-law, Holly & Tim Garland of Lindale, Texas and Melanie and Stacy Hatcher of Paris, Texas; sister & brother-in-law, Sharon & Marcus Roden of Paris, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Gavin Garland, Christian Garland, Alexis Garland, Logan Fountain, Ryan Hatcher, Blaine Hatcher, Dillon Van Cleave, Ava Van Cleave and Garett Van Cleave; nieces, Robin K. Daugherty and husband, Jeff of Lindale, Texas and Heather S. Parris and husband, Corey of Mt. Juliet, TN; and great nieces, Regan Breanne Daugherty of Lindale, Texas and Calli Jo Davis of Tennessee; and great nephews, Harley Parris and Raelee Parris, both of Mt. Juliet, TN. Serving as pallbearers will be Doug Potts, Joe Douglas, Chris Siebensieu, Dick Barnett, Steve Hluchan, Terry Lee Ryan, Craig Edwards and Mike Kropp. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale.

Richard G. Gillies, CWO3 (Ret.)

January 1, 1950 - March 17, 2013