David Lester Gillard

David Lester Gillard, age 67, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at his home in Threeway, TN. His year-long battle with stomach cancer ravaged his body, and he peacefully succumbed to the illness in the early morning hours. 

David was born June 20, 1957, in Manchester, TN, to Thomas James Gillard, Sr. (Tom-deceased) and Barbara Ann Howe Gillard (Bobbie), age 92, of Tullahoma, TN.

In 2002, David met Joania Diana Gillard (Dian), and they married on September 30, 2005. They were “two peas in a pod” for 19 years.

David worked for the State of Tennessee for 36 years, where his work friends affectionately called him “Bubba”. He retired in June of 2022, and spent time with his wife at their home in Trenton, TN, that he called “God’s Country”. This is where he enjoyed riding his Polaris, sitting on the levee, watching the early morning world come alive and observing wildlife. Of course, he would do this while wearing a cap of his favorite team, the UT Vols.

If anyone wanted to make David smile over the last 3 ½ years, you would just have to say the name “Josiah” and he would grin ear-to-ear. Every time Josiah walked in the room, David’s eyes would light up. David loved being called “Papa” by this great-grandson.

David was preceded in death by his father, Thomas James Gillard, Sr. (Tom-2009) and his younger brother, Daniel John Gillard (Danny-2005).

He is survived by his mother, Barbara Ann Howe Gillard (Bobbie) of Tullahoma, TN; brother, Thomas James Gillard, Jr. (Tom/Frances) of Tullahoma, TN; and their two sons, Corey (Nicki) of Brentwood, TN, and Jeremy (Lindsay) of Murfreesboro, TN; Timothy Howe Gillard (Tim/Kathy) of Arizona/Alaska; wife, Joania Diana Gillard (Dian); step-daughter, Celecia Osborne (Gary) of Threeway, TN; their children, Jace Osborne and Lexi Osborne, and the most beloved great-grandson, Josiah Osborne. 

Services will be held Friday, December 13, 2024, at Replogle-Lawrence Funeral Home, 303 East Church St., Medina, TN 38355. Visitation with family and friends at 11 a.m. with services beginning at 12 noon and graveside to immediately follow at New Shiloh Cemetery in Humboldt, TN. A rite of passage memorial will also be held in Tullahoma, TN at a later date.

Those honoring him as pallbearers will be: Jace Osborne, Corey Gillard, Jeremy Gillard, David Tuck, David Anderson, Mark Volner. Honorary pallbearer: Ricky Roe.