Richard Benson Gilliland passed away on March 16, 2013. He was born October 26,1931 in Frederick, Oklahoma to Lloyd Nance Gilliland and Mary Roper Gilliland.
While attending Frederick Schools he was so proud of having played on an "almost" State Champion football team in 1947. He never forgave the Okmulgee Bulldogs for defeating the Frederick Bombers.
Richard played college football and graduated from Southeastern State College. After graduation he was drafted in the army, and spent most of his time on a service football team in Germany.
When he returned from the army he coached football and baseball while getting his master's degree from Midwestern University. In 1957 he moved to Tulsa, as a graduate assistant at TU, to study for an advanced degree.
Richard spent over 30 years as an educator, with most of those years at Lakeside Home, a residential treatment facility for Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau. Many of his students remained in contact with him throughout his life.
He continued to coach baseball and football for his sons' teams, and he was so very, very proud of them.
Richard was raised in a Methodist church where his grandfather served as pastor, and his mother played the pipe organ. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church for over 30 years.
Richard was a very special and unique person in many ways. He enjoyed reading, sports events,working out, and playing chess and dominoes. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, Dr. Lloyd Giilliland.
He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 62 years, and their two sons, Rich (Cheryl) and Randy (Sandra); two grandsons, Richard III (Alii) and Michael; a great grandson, Richard Benson IV.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cox City Baptist Church Building Fund, 323 Elmwood Drive, Lindsay, OK. 73052