Elwood Gillis

August 29, 1934 - February 6, 2018

Lee Elwood Gillis, known to most as Elwood, was born on August 29, 1934 in Ballinger, Texas to Clyde and Leola (Kendrick) Gillis. He passed away on February 6, 2018 at the age of 83 with Jayme and Sharon holding his hands.

Elwood loved and served God, his family and his country. He cherished Jeanette, his wife of 56 years, and adored his daughters, Jayme and Sharon. He treated Jimmy and Lance like his very own sons. Elwood's five grandkids were deeply loved by their Grand and his five great grands had him wrapped about their little fingers.

His wonderful smile, sense of humor, loving heart, wisdom, and passion for life resulted in deep relationships with family and friends.

Elwood graduated from Stratford High School in 1952 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from West Texas State University in 1956. He then completed his Master's degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1990.

He belonged to the Masons, Lion's Club and Lamar Jaycees. He was instrumental in helping the City of Lamar become an All American City.

Elwood served in the Texas National Guard and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1955. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Army in 1956, attended Ranger School in 1957 and served a 14 month tour of duty in South Korea. 1st Lieutenant Gillis was honorably discharged from the Army in 1958.

He served as Colorado State Representative from 1981 until 1990 and was chairman of The Joint Budget Committee. Later, Elwood served as Mayor of Lamar from 1994-1995. He served as a State Judicial Performance Commissioner.

He belonged to Colorado Oil Jobbers Association, Kampgrounds of America, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System, and Colorado Propane Gas Association.

Elwood was a self-employed businessman starting in 1963. He owned and operated Lamar Oil Company, Green Diamond Fertilizer, Westwood Leasing and Storage, Lamar KOA Kampground, Hillcrest Ranch and Elwood Gillis Appraiser, LLC.

He was transferred from Texas to Pueblo in 1959 by Diamond Shamrock and moved his young family to Lamar in 1963. He was proud of his Texas Heritage.

Funeral services for Elwood Gillis will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2018 at the Lamar Christian Church with Pastor Mike Schneider officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar.

Interment will follow in the Veteran's Section at Fairmount Cemetery in Lamar,

located in what was previously, from 1836-1846, the Republic of Texas. A Texan who loved Colorado.

Elwood is survived by his daughters, Jayme (Jimmy) Greenfield of Buena Vista, Colorado and Sharon (Lance) Wilson of Wiley, Colorado; brother, Dan (Mel) Gillis; sister, June Bingham; sister-in-law, Marty Bain; grandchildren, Logan (Tiffany) Greenfield, Lacee (Zach) Appel, Larson (Kelsi) Greenfield, Taylor (Sarah) Wilson, and Blake Wilson; great grandchildren, Kooper and Kenzi Greenfield, Kennedy and Hudson Appel, and Jackson Greenfield; many

other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Gillis; parents, Clyde and Leola Gillis; brothers-in-law, George Bingham and Phillip Bain.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wiley Community Church or Fairmount Cemetery Veteran's Section Fund in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, Colorado, 81052.

Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements