James Gilliland

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of James "Jim" H. Gilliland of Curwensville, PA. Jim died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his home on Old Orchard Farm in Pike Township on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. He was 78 years old. He is, and always will be, immensely missed.

Jim was born May 30, 1943 in Clearfield PA, the Son of the Late Lynn Woolridge and Violet (Kunes) Gilliland. He attended Clearfield High School and Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia.

As an inspiring entrepreneur, Jim constructed his first workshop in the basement of his parent's home in Clearfield at a very young age. He also worked with his father, Lynn, at his local car dealership in Clearfield. He later founded Gilliland Enterprises and worked in numerous construction trades, as a Heavy Equipment Operator, Iron Worker, Remodeler, and Carpenter, among others. As a detailed craftsman, he had a passion for working with his hands. Throughout his life he had an insatiable and unwavering drive to learn. Some notable projects he worked on included the Lincoln Theatre (Washington, DC), the Yellow Ribbon Music Theatre (Branson, MO) and the Capital One Center (Tysons, VA) amongst many others. One of his most recent and proudest accomplishments was the oversight and construction of a state-of-the-art landscaping facility for his son James in Clearfield.

Jim had a passion for flying and after becoming a certified pilot, constructed an airstrip on Old Orchard Farm in Curwensville. He was an avid and incredibly hard-working farmer with a fondness for raising and tending to his beef cattle. Aside from his time spent locally/on his farm, his other true love was spending time with his Family and Friends and working on his Family Cottage on Ahmic Lake in Ontario, Canada. Jim also spent considerable time in northern Ontario on canoe trips in his younger years.

Jim was a loving and devoted father to his two sons, Jordan and James. His Children and Grandchildren were the axis of his life and meant more to him than anything else in the world.

Jim is survived by his former wife, Zoe Ann Gilliland of Pawleys Island, SC; two beloved children: Jordan L. Gilliland of Curwensville, James H. Gilliland Jr. and his wife Melissa of Clearfield; four cherished grandchildren: Austin P. Gilliland, Harper L. Gilliland, Laken V. Gilliland and Sawyer J. Gilliland; and Brothers John W. Gilliland and Joseph K. Gilliland and their spouses of Clearfield.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by two sisters: Judith (Gilliland) Chase and Jane Lynn Gilliland.

Family and Friends will be received at Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 4 to 7 PM. A funeral will be held at 7 PM.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution be made to the charity of one’s choice.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com