Jake's older brother Owen called me today to report that ol' Jake passed away last month, the morning of November 15, 2004, at his home in Greenville, Ohio.

He was born, appropriately, on Halloween Day, 1943. Gillilands do most things of consequence on special days; his Mom was born on Christmas and died on Mother's Day. When we knew Jake in Pleiku he was the old man of the company at 25.

There are more Jake stories than I can count, every one of them funnier than the last. Whenever his name comes up, everybody who knew him gets a sort of funny smile of his face.

The "summanabitch" didn't have a mean bone in his body. He knew how to wear a cap better than anybody, and he could yodel like a pro. NVA and VC didn't bother Jake a lick; he just didn't want any of his pals to get hurt.

After Vietnam, he went home, went to work, raised his sister's child on his own, and then took care of his mother for the rest of her life. He could spot an asshole a mile away, and he knew exactly how to deal with one when he needed to.

Since circumstances many times resulted in the authorities prohibiting Jake from operating any motor vehicle for extended periods of time, his sole condition in selecting lady friends for many of his later years was that she have "a valid drivers license."

I'll miss the old coot, and I know a lot of other guys who will too.

His brother Owen gave me his address information. I bet he'd appreciate hearing from any of Jake's pals.

Owen Gilliland
123 East Cross Street
PO Box 482
Ansonia OH 45303
937-337-4333

See ya Jake.

Doc