Robert W. “Bob” Gillham went home to Jesus on September 26, 2026, with Michelle and Dianne by his side.

Born April 4, 1945, in Coffeyville, Kansas, Bob was the eldest of Clarence O. and Lola (Robison) Gillham’s three children. He grew up in Caney, graduated from Caney High, and earned a degree in Lithography from Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee.

His degree led him to open Advanced Printing in Tulsa. Until his final days, he enjoyed discussing every aspect of the printing business.

His greatest joy in Tulsa was welcoming daughter Michelle Dawn with his wife, Patricia. Michelle’s name always brought a smile to his face.

When his health declined, Bob returned to his childhood home in the late 1970s. Despite painful losses and ongoing health struggles, he remained positive, kind, and generous. He served as a First Christian Church deacon, coached peewee baseball, bowled, read library books, played golf, and helped golfers obtain needed equipment.

In the early 2000s, as Daddy’s health failed, Bob provided the strength and help Mom needed to care for him at home.

In 1989, Mom and Daddy took Bob to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where surgeons removed a golf-ball-sized brain tumor that had caused his lifelong epilepsy. Another neurosurgery patient was President Ronald Reagan, recovering from a fall from his horse. Bob, Mom, and Dad saw the President and Secret Service pass Bob’s room during a required walk.

After their mother died in 2022, Bob and Dianne needed to move to Texas to be near their children. On February 15, 2023, Bob moved to Harvest of Aledo, minutes from Dianne, who visited almost daily. Though he lived in Texas, his heart remained in Caney, and he longed to return.

At Harvest, Bob befriended many staff members and residents’ families. They remember his humor, courtesy, gentleness, and compassion. He loved discussing printing, the Chicago Cubs, hockey, and music—especially old hymns, though his radio was usually tuned to Air1.

Days before Bob’s passing, Dianne asked whether she should tell everyone he was “as handsome as ever.” With a sly smile, Bob replied, “That would be an honest statement!” Everyone laughed.

Bob’s memory will bless his daughter, Michelle (Lou), and Anne and Will of Wylie, Texas; brother Steve (Debbie) of St. Charles, Missouri, their son Steven Michael (Amanda), and daughters Amelia of St. Peters, Missouri, and Madison of Springfield, Missouri; sister Dianne Schabel (Tom, deceased) of Aledo, Texas; her sons Tom (Angie) of Sunnyvale, Texas, and Tim (Carmen) of Aledo, Texas; Tom and Angie’s daughters, Kristen (Karsten) and Henry Griel of Grand Saline, Texas, and Alyssa of Dallas, Texas; and Tim and Carmen’s children, Audrey (Michael) Birdwell of Waco, Texas, Kaley of College Station, Texas, Luke of Dallas, and Maggie of Aledo, Texas. Cousins from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona will also gather to honor him.

Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel of Coffeyville, Kansas, is directing services. The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. at Potts Chapel, 107 N St., Caney. The funeral will be held there at 11 a.m. on October 14, followed by burial in Sunnyside Cemetery near Bob’s parents, grandparents, and uncle. Share condolences or memories at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.