Obituary of David Clinton Gilliland

David Clinton Gilliland, known as Clint to family and friends, was born March 4, 1952 in Baton Rouge General Hospital. From an early age he pursued interests that would stay with him for life: amateur radio, electronics, mechanics, and food. Though he expressed disdain for the standard school curriculum of the time he was a skilled autodidact. One of his early activities was amateur radio. He was a life member of the Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club, helped with communications for the Houston Marathon and the MS 150 Bike Ride, and helped established communications that enabled children in Shriners Hospital in Houston to communicate with family members in distant locales. After High School he became certified as a Surgical Technician and worked for Harris County Hospital District as well as for a major Orthopedic Group. In 1977 he enlisted in the Navy and was active duty until 1981 at which time he served two years in the Naval Reserve. He had the highest academic average while in training and was his class’s Honor Man. He later obtained certifications in Aerospace Medicine and Field Medicine. He served in the far East, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, including 200 plus days in the Persian Gulf during the Iran Hostage Situation. He married the love of his life, Jena, November 20, 1991. Their courtship began long distance between California and Texas until Clint relocated to Houston permanently. Upon discharge from the Navy, he accepted a position with Data General as a Systems Engineering Consultant. In 1997 he joined SAP as a Senior Software Principal with International Consultation. He was a highly valued employee when diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. Despite incapacitating bouts of vertigo, hearing loss and facial pain he worked several more years until retiring in 2007. When unable to work he remained active in Ham Radio, motorcycle riding, target shooting, and gun-smithing, becoming a certified Glock Armorer. He was a highly active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where he was a member of the Vestry and the Finance Committee, served as a Visiting Eucharistic Minister, and every day for several years was a Worship Leader for weekly morning prayer. When his illnesses progressed and regular attendance became impossible, he joined the staff of TheDailyOffice.org, an online Episcopal community. With his technical expertise he became Honorary Deacon of Interesting Stuff, finding resources on-line that would support the daily worship service. His technological expertise played a significant role in The Daily Office, making a transition from blog to online community. He also did a daily feature for the website, They Have Names, which made certain that service members killed in the line of duty were properly acknowledged. In 2014 he was made Doctor of Soul Medicine by the Episcopal Bishop of Indianapolis. Though in treatment for cancer, he continued to lead two online services daily until progression of the disease caused him to cut back. Clint is predeceased by his father, Robert McMurtry Gilliland II, his mother Ernestine Robertson Gilliland, and his stepmother Virginia Varley Gilliland. He is survived by his wife Jennifer (Jena) James Gilliland, daughter Celeste Smith and husband Derek, grandchildren April, Ethan, Jenna, and Elizabeth; daughter Julia Butcher and husband Ryan, grandchildren Hadley and Caroline; Clint’s brother Robert McMurtry Gilliland III, sister-in-law Penelope; as well as by sisters Shawn McFarland, Kelly McFarland-Hatcher, Leslie Anders, and Lisa McFarland. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to either St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or thedailyoffice.org is suggested.