Dexter James Gilliard

Obituary for

Dexter James Gilliard

November 16, 2001 - March 13, 2023

Dexter James Gilliard was born in Austin, TX on November 16, 2001, to Patrice McCaleb and Christopher Cherry. He was adopted shortly after birth by Bernard and Wanda Gilliard. He was a beautiful baby boy and the light of our lives.

Dexter loved being in the water! He loved it so much that we registered him for swimming lessons at the age of 1! He was also involved in many athletic actives such as learning to play soccer at age 2, and T-ball at ages 3-4 at the YMCA in Round Rock, TX.

Dexter was raised in a devout Christian home and had a strong Christian foundation. He attended Mt. Sinai Christian Academy from age 2-4.

At age 4, Dexter's family moved to Waldorf, MD. At age 5, Dexter received Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized on July 8, 2007, at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD.

He continued his love of sports by playing basketball, flag-football, soccer, and tackle football. At age 5, Dexter played flagged football for Charles County Recreation. From ages 6 to 9, he played for the Westlake Bulldawgs Anklebiters, 60lb adn 70lb teams. At age 10 and 11, he played for the Westlake Bulldawgs Pee Wee teams playing on both offense and defense positions! The team won the Maryland State Championship in two consecutive years! At age 12, he played for the Charles County Spartans. The team won the American Youth Football (AYF) National Championship for 12U in Kissimmee, FL.

Dexter was a member of the Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Purple Boot mentoring program and he participated in Westlake High School Navy Jr ROTC and was selected three years to All County Chorus and two years to Tri-County Chorus. Dexter graduated high school from Calvary Gospel Christian Academy. Praise God for Christian education!

Dexter lived in Bakersfield, CA from February 2020 to April 2025. He connected with his West Coast family and quickly sought employment and became employed with Famous Footwear, Little Caesars' Pizza, and Taco Bell. He was very charismatic! People loved being around him. His infectious smile would light up the room. He engaged and challenged friends and family by playing video games, basketball, football, and demonstrating his cooking skills.

In April 2025, Dexter returned to Maryland to work for "We Have a Truck" in Quantico, VA. He started to pursue a career as an electrical journeyman with Shore Electrical in Millersville, MD. He moved back to CA on February 12, 2026. Sadly, he suddenly passed away on March 13, 2026.

Dexter was preceded in death by his grandfathers Thomas Gilliard of Euatawville, SC, and Bishop Johnny McCaleb of Bakersfield, CA.

Dexter will be missed immensely by his parents, Bernard and Wanda Gilliard of Pflugerville, TX; biological parents Patrice McCaleb and Christopher Cherry Sr. of Bakersfield, CA; grandmothers Mattie Gilliard of Euatwville, SC and Patricia Boyd of Bakersfield, CA; sisters Brittany (Chris) Bown of Fayetteville, NC; Deidre Gilliard of Pflugerville,TX; Ayeanah McCaleb and Tionna Cherry of Bakersfield, CA; brothers Jon'Patrick McCaleb-Gulley, Christopher Embry Cherry II, Anthony Fulmer Jr., Kharri Turner, Christopher Embry Cherry III of Bakersfield, CA.

He will forever be cherished and remembered by aunts , uncles, a nephew, cousins, and friends.