Gary J. Gilliam

Gary Junior Gilliam, born on December 2nd 1945 to Tyrus and Ethel Gilliam (Jordan), and was the youngest of four children. He passed away December 7th 2025, at the age of 80, in his home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma surrounded by his loving family.
Gary attended first through eighth grade at Manard School and ninth through twelfth grade at Tahlequah High School. After graduation he received a certificate and pendent from the State of Oklahoma for perfect attendance first through twelfth grade.
On March 14th 1964 Gary married Dorothy Chaffin. Together they had two children; Brady and Darla. He was most proud of his five granddaughters Ashley, Karlee, Kaytlyn, Cora, and Della; and his 18 great grandchildren.
Gary was happiest in the rooster yard, out in the woods hunting, fishing, and looking for arrowheads. Most of his stories revolved around taking his granddaughters and great-grandchildren with him.
He worked 13 years at his first job out of high school and said he hated every day of it. He began fighting roosters with his father-in-law in 1965 and then his brother-in-law Louis Chaffin. He became the most well-known cocker in the world for his renowned Gilliam Roundhead and Gilliam Hatch. He never boasted of his fowl being the most game, but if his customers asked if they were game his response was "No, they have killed all the game chickens in this area. Just give me the first four pittings, and you can have the rest if you have anything left." Through the years of mentoring other cockers he was lucky to find a young man he would be proud to call a grandson, Josh Duke "Dukie."
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Louie Gilliam, Wanda "Sissy" Jackson, and Anna Corbell.
Gary is survived by his wife, son Brady (Marcie) Gilliam, daughter Darla (Preston) Brannon, sister-in-law Wanda Gilliam, six nephews, two nieces, five granddaughters, eighteen great-grandchildren, one honorary grandson and two honorary great-grandsons. He loved them deeply and in his own way.
Gary was a main pit man, but was in the longest drag fight of his life that he finally won doing it his way at 1:44pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in his honor to the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission. You can donate via CashApp $OKGCFUND or send via money order to 96266 South 4610 Road, Bunch, Oklahoma 74931.