James Edward "Jim" Gilliland

JAMES EDWARD "JIM" GILLILAND Graveside services for James Edward "Jim" Gilliland will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Jim passed away on February 4, 2014 in his sleep in Spring Creek, Nev. Jim was born on March 5, 1958 to Eddie Joe and Ruth Opal (Wilderson) Gilliland in Cortez, Colo. Jim spent his first year in Monticello, Utah, and then moved to Grants, N.M. with his family where he spent the next 28 years. Jim graduated from Grants High School in 1976. He studied welding and auto mechanics in school. After graduation, he went to work for Homestake Mining Company in Grants, N.M. Jim married Mary Ellen Thompson of Dolores, Colo. and was blessed with three children. In October of 1986, Jim and his family moved to Round Mountain, Nev. where Jim went to work for Round Mountain Gold as a field mechanic. Jim and his family moved to Elko, Nev. in 1992 where Jim was an Autoclave mechanic and then later an Autoclave Planner for Barrick Goldstrike. While in Elko, Jim and Mary acquired a new set of children by adopting their grandchildren: Braxton, Raymond, Colton, Ruth and Daisy. Jim was known for his ability to make long-lasting friendships and willingness to help anyone as well as being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and son. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and four wheeling. His sense of humor and laughter will long be remembered. Jim is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Opal Gilliland and Cousin, Russell Aulston of Yellow Jacket, Colo. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Gilliland of Spring Creek, Nev.; children, Joe and wife, Leslie Gilliland, Crystal Gilliland, and Travis and wife, Jodi Gilliland; grandchildren, Raymond, Colton, JBL, Ruth Elizabeth, and Daisy Joyce Gilliland all of the Elko area; father, Eddie Joe and wife, Melba Gilliland of Cortez, Colo.; Uncle, Leon Gilliland of Cortez; Aunt, Geneva Naron of Douglas, Wyo.; cousins, Terry and wife, Nancy Gilliland of Reno, Nev., Lori and husband, Jamie Haukeness of Cortez, Colo., Cyndi and husband, Al Phelps of Ignacio, Colo., and Cousin Lolita Aulston of Yellow Jacket, Colo.