Frank Gene “Coach” Gilliland age 96, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash.
He was born February 2, 1924 in Proctor, NC the son of the late William Gilliland and Martha Ogle Gilliland.
He was married to Lolita Wentz Gilliland who preceded him in death in 2005.
Mr. Gilliland taught chemistry, physics, and math at Oceana High School for thrity three years, along with coaching basketball, football, and track. He and his wife managed the Oceana Park and Pool for over fifty years, which the town renamed Gilliland Park and Pool to honor Coach and Granny.
He was a member of Oceana United Methodist Church where he loved to worship, fellowship, and serve the Lord. Coach was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving in WWII.
He enjoyed nature, his church, his children, and his grandchildren. His proudest accomplishment was his family with late wife of fifty-six years, Lolita.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters, and one son-in-law, James Sexton.
Gene is survived by three loving daughters, Susan Sexton of Wharton, Debbie and Joe Pendley of Cincinnati, OH, and Marty and Terry Morgan of Cincinnati, OH; seven grandchildren, Allen (Alisha) Sexton of Williamstown, Eddie (Lesia Workman) Sexton of Rock Hill, SC, Jennifer (Samuel) Sexton-Derr of Blacksburg, SC, Ty (Brooke) Morgan of Cleveland, Oh, Tory Morgan (Chris Gallagher) of Canon Beach, OR, Max (Chloe) Pendley of Cincinnati, OH and Rose Pendley of Houston, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Emilie (Jason Elkins) Sexton, Elizabeth Sexton, Lauren Sexton, Abigail Morgan, Isaac Morgan, Isabel Morgan, and William Morgan Bowman; two great-great grandchildren, Kevin Cook and Charlie Elkins.
Due to the pandemic, a celebration of Coach’s life will be August 8, 2020 at Oceana United Methodist Church.
He will be laid to rest on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 following a private family service at Evans-Calfee Funeral Service Chapel. Private interment will follow at Palm Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Coach’s name to Oceana United Methodist Church or Barrett Nazarene Church Food Pantry.