GILLELAND RICHARD ALLYN

CW2 Richard "Rick" Allyn Gilleland was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/13/2015 at the age of 69.2 from Parkinson's Disease
Charlotte, NC
Flight Class 69-39
Date of Birth 03/22/1946
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 155 AHC in 70-71
Call sign in Vietnam STAGECOACH 25
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Richard Allyn "Rick" Gilleland, 69, peacefully passed away with family and friends with him in Hospice care at the Salisbury VA Medical Facility on June 13, 2015. Born in Atlanta, GA, on March 22, 1944 (should be 1946), he was raised in Charlotte, NC. Rick graduated from Garinger HS in 1964. For three years he lettered in tennis and attended East Carolina U. Rick was an accomplished guitar player and singer. During the Vietnam War, Rick served in the US Army Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (assault helicopters). He flew in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 and was promoted to the rank of CW2. After the Army, he flew helicopters in Sept-Iles, Quebec, Canada, and for several private contractors. Returning to Charlotte in 1992, he flew the WSOC-TV Chopper Nine. Rick completed his flying career with over 13,000 hours of safe flight time. He then sold homes with McGary & Assoc. Rick was an avid golfer and tennis player. In 2002, Rick retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Eugene Gilleland, II, and Tillie Lillie Amanda Williams of Charlotte, and Atlanta. Surviving him are his daughter, Kimberly Gilleland; his three brothers, Ken, Gene, Mark; and eleven nieces and nephews. Rick was an incredibly loyal person and will always be cherished by everyone that knew him and will be missed by all. We would like to thank the wonderful professional staff from the VA in Salisbury for the attention and care given to Rick during his stay in the nursing and hospice units. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 15, at 11:00 am at the Chapel at the VA Hospice Care Unit in Building 43, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, NC. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate a donation to The National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center at http://www.parkinson.org/

Published in Charlotte Observer on June 14, 2015

This information was last updated 05/27/2015

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024