Charles Thomas Gilliland, age 87 of Paris, TX, died May 19, 2025. He was born March 25, 1938, in Tulsa, OK, to Hugh W. Gilliland, Jr. and Vivian Blanche Thomas Gilliland.
Charles was captivated by airplanes from an early age, winning a Southeast Championship and other national model aircraft awards. He graduated from Tulsa University as an aeronautical engineer and started a 33-year career with the US Air Force at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) in Oklahoma.
He married his wife of 63 years, Ann Smith of Point, TX, in 1961. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1964, and later an instrument rating, and an airframe and powerplant license with inspector authorization. He owned and flew a variety of airplanes for family travel and pleasure.
In 1966, he was asked to join the Foreign Technology Division of the Air Force at Wright- Patterson AFB in Ohio to investigate foreign aircraft, requiring travel to many countries. One of his projects was highlighted in a book called MiG Pilot. He was involved in many high-profile projects, once called by the office of President Ford for specific information. He received two Outstanding Civilian Service medals and numerous other performance awards.
In 1988, he was asked to provide assistance in the design and development of US “stealth” programs, receiving personal thanks from program managers and developers.
He retired from the Air Force in 1993 and moved to a private airstrip in Paris, TX, where he continued to fly for enjoyment. He always enjoyed music and played guitar for nearly 60 years, and he played with various groups performing ‘50s through ‘70s pop music.
He always remembered an orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa, OK, Dr. Myra Peters, who performed an experimental hip replacement for him in 1966. To his knowledge, it is the longest duration hip implant in the US, if not the world, without which none of the above would have been possible.
He is survived by his wife Ann, two daughters: Leslie McBrayer of Sudbury, MA, and Christie Gilliland of Arlington, MA, and two granddaughters: Katie McBrayer and Rebecca McBrayer Palm.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home where online condolences may be sent to family by visiting fry-gibbs.com.
