Obituary for George Anthony "Tony" Gilham IV
“A Full Life Lived and a Few Short Excerpts Reminisced”
George Anthony “Tony” Gilham, IV passed away on Monday, September 5th, 2022 at the age of 80.
Tony was born in Athens, OH in 1942. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1960, San Diego State University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in History, and then earned his JD from the University of San Diego Law School in 1969.
Tony was one of the lucky ones who knew, from age 7, what he “wanted to be when he grew up…” a lawyer. Although he never really grew up, Tony practiced law, mostly as a criminal defense attorney, for over 50 years. He served in the Army Reserve, volunteered as a Pop Warner football coach for 17 years, a high-school football referee, as well as served as a founding member of the San Diego Nice Guys and on the board of directors for the El Cajon Mother Goose Parade.
Tony was also very adventurous obtaining his private pilot’s license, 3rd degree black belt in karate, finishing the Vine Man (Iron Man-length) triathlon, walking Death Valley in the summer, embarking on a (26-mile) solo kayak ride from Catalina Island to Long Beach, CA, and a number of off-road races across Baja California. “Don’t sweat the nickel and dime!” he used to say.
Aside from his occasional ‘life in the fast lane’ experiences, Tony was a very compassionate man and had an intuitive gift and ability to read and understand people. He was always willing to help a friend in need and very creative in negotiating trades or swapping favors to help others. Tony and Georgia’s generosity also welcomed many a traveler to the Gilham household, which provided countless friends a short respite to gather themselves.
In addition to his wife, Georgia, he is survived by his children Gage Gilham and his wife, Diana, Michael Gilham and his wife, Karla, Danielle Gilham, and Morgan Cramer and her husband Eric; grandchildren Gaton Gilham, Haden Gilham, Haley Gilham and her fiancé, Favian Oseguera, and Jordan Gilham and his wife, Samantha; great-granddaughter, Mia Gilham; sisters Beth Johnson, Susie Stonebraker, and Deborah Gilham. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Gilham, and brother Patrick “Beaver” Gilham.
Private burial services will be held at El Cajon Cemetery on September 9th, 2022. Details for a Celebration of Life gathering with family and friends will be forthcoming.
George Anthony “Tony” Gilham, IV passed away on Monday, September 5th, 2022 at the age of 80.
Tony was born in Athens, OH in 1942. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1960, San Diego State University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in History, and then earned his JD from the University of San Diego Law School in 1969.
Tony was one of the lucky ones who knew, from age 7, what he “wanted to be when he grew up…” a lawyer. Although he never really grew up, Tony practiced law, mostly as a criminal defense attorney, for over 50 years. He served in the Army Reserve, volunteered as a Pop Warner football coach for 17 years, a high-school football referee, as well as served as a founding member of the San Diego Nice Guys and on the board of directors for the El Cajon Mother Goose Parade.
Tony was also very adventurous obtaining his private pilot’s license, 3rd degree black belt in karate, finishing the Vine Man (Iron Man-length) triathlon, walking Death Valley in the summer, embarking on a (26-mile) solo kayak ride from Catalina Island to Long Beach, CA, and a number of off-road races across Baja California. “Don’t sweat the nickel and dime!” he used to say.
Aside from his occasional ‘life in the fast lane’ experiences, Tony was a very compassionate man and had an intuitive gift and ability to read and understand people. He was always willing to help a friend in need and very creative in negotiating trades or swapping favors to help others. Tony and Georgia’s generosity also welcomed many a traveler to the Gilham household, which provided countless friends a short respite to gather themselves.
In addition to his wife, Georgia, he is survived by his children Gage Gilham and his wife, Diana, Michael Gilham and his wife, Karla, Danielle Gilham, and Morgan Cramer and her husband Eric; grandchildren Gaton Gilham, Haden Gilham, Haley Gilham and her fiancé, Favian Oseguera, and Jordan Gilham and his wife, Samantha; great-granddaughter, Mia Gilham; sisters Beth Johnson, Susie Stonebraker, and Deborah Gilham. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Gilham, and brother Patrick “Beaver” Gilham.
Private burial services will be held at El Cajon Cemetery on September 9th, 2022. Details for a Celebration of Life gathering with family and friends will be forthcoming.