Jack Ray Gilley of Plano, Texas passed away on June 13, 2018 at the age of 85. He was born on December 5, 1932 to Thomas and Melvina (Lane) Gilley in Vinita, Oklahoma. Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army serving two tours of duty in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1953. While in a military hospital in Japan, a wounded soldier from his brothers unit (187th Airborne) in the adjacent bed told him the unit had incurred heavy casualties. As a 19 year old soldier, Jack got an early medical release to search for his brother who he feared had been killed. He found his brother alive in Korea. Jack married Rena King on May 27, 1954 in Vinita, Oklahoma. He and Rena lead a very exciting life living in Brazil and Libya. After being reassigned to Dallas headquarters in 1967, Jack traveled throughout the world visiting and inspecting their operations. After he retired at 55, Jack started Gilley Properties Inc., a land development and building business that included six land developments in Fairview, Texas. Later, he and son, Jeff started a waste management company. Jack later became an author writing several books. His way of relaxing was to get in his 40 foot motorhome and take to the road. Jack and Rena were able to visit every state. He was bigger than life, truly loved by his family and was a devoted and loving husband and father.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Rena Gilley of Plano, Texas; son, Jeff Gilley and wife, J of Allen, Texas; granddaughter, Danielle Sumner and husband, John of Plano, Texas; great-granddaughter, Emery Quinn Sumner of Plano, Texas; sister, Joyce Bigley of Carthage, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers; 5 sisters; his daughter, Signe Gilley; and grandson, Greg Messmer.
A remembrance gathering will be held on Monday, June 18, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.