Birth date: Apr 21, 1932 Death date: Oct 20, 2024
Bobby Eugene Gillean, age 92, a resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed from this life Sunday, October 20, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bobby was born April 21, 1932 to William Orvel and Eva Opal (Campbell) Gillean in Tulsa, Oklahom Read Obituary
I am so fortunate to be among the very lucky people who knew Bob and will always treasure his stories and his wonderful laugh. He was generous beyond measure, but I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, and if a person can live more than one life in a lifetime, he definitely did! Some my fondest memories were made hanging out with him and Peggy. Love to the entire Gillean family. Y'all have an incredible legacy. XO - Erin (Doherty) Heine
Grandpa Bob was our family patriarch. He loved to see us get together. He loved a house full of noise and laughter, and his was the loudest. He made everyone who walked through the door feel welcome and at home. In his life he worked at an oil refinery, sold insurance, sold real estate, sold gold coins, he was an artist, a leather worker, he was a preacher, who was proud to make old ladies shout their hair down, he sold vitamins, he sold magnets, traveled the country to teach legends like Sam Walton how to sell and make billions, and too many other jobs to name. He certainly left his mark on this world and the people he touched. He had a way of making everyone feel like his best friend and favorite person, he was the most excited to hear your latest good news, he could make you laugh every time you saw him. He taught us if your mind can conceive it and you believe it you could achieve it but he also knew to get that you had to give. He gave his all to everything he set his mind to and was the most successful person I’ve ever met. My husband had a great mentor growing up with Bob who taught him to be gentle and kind. How to be an amazing and loving husband and friend but also how to be relentlessly ornery. Bob tormented my son with long boring Branson railroad videos, long, long rides to Berryhill, he taught him some of his first cuss words until he got old enough to become his friend. Then they chased girls at the mall on random Tuesday afternoons and simply just tried to find trouble like two boys would. More recently he taught my daughter in law about gardening and making a home for her and my son and their pups. He loved to embarrass her and say random crazy things just to see her reaction.
But for me the best thing I learned from him was the love of having a family. I will miss my morning Broken Arrow expressway calls to Bob, telling him the crazy things that happen in my days and all of the stories he’s told me over the years. I will miss the breakfast he cooks me when I’m supposed to be taking care of him. I don’t know how our family will carry on without him. I know he would want us to. I know he’d want us to still get together, tell stories, cook and most of all laugh.
He and Peggy created a beautiful and unique family. We are so proud to call him our family, our grandpa. We will love you forever and miss you always.
Dyan Gillean
