Jack Edward Gillikin

Published in The Capital Gazette on Feb. 19, 2015





















Jack E. Gillikin, 88 years old, of Arnold, Maryland, passed Saturday, February 14,
2015, due to complications from a fall.

A native Washingtonian, Jack was born February 12, 1927 to Charles C. and Tillie A
Gillikin. He graduated from
Eastern High School in January, 1944 and then
attended Wheaton College. In that same year, he enlisted in the Army during World
War II. While in the military he attended VA Tech and Stanford University. He was
honorably discharged in 1946. He graduated from Iowa State Teacher's College in
1950, received a Master's Degree from George Washington in 1955, and did doctoral
work at Catholic University.

He spent a year in Guayaquil, Ecuador teaching English from 1952 -1953. At that time,
he spent weekends and holidays at HCJB doing radio broadcasts with Bob Savage
and flying with Nate Saint in Quito, Ecuador. This experience led to his love for
missions and spreading the gospel.

He spent his professional life in mathematics and computer science in the federal
government sector. He joined "The Agency" in the late 1950s and spent the majority of
his career there. Jack did a special assignment at the USNA in the late 1960s
developing the computer science department, which led to moving to the Annapolis
area, where he raised his family, and retired.

After his retirement he taught at Annapolis Area Christian School and then at Anne
Arundel Community College.

On July 29, 1955, he was married to Orletta Taylor of Washington, DC.

He is survived by his wife, Orletta, Arnold, MD; his sons Doug Gillikin, Annapolis, MD;
Skip Gillikin, Weaverville, NC; Tim Gillikin, Chesapeake, MD and his daughter, Lori
Gillikin, Arnold, MD. He has one surviving sibling, Bob Gillikin, of San Carlos, CA. He
was blessed with seven grandchildren, and three great-grand children, whom he loved
and adored. He has three brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law, as well as many
nieces and nephews who also held a special place in his heart as "Uncle Jack."

He became a Christian at the age of 15. Throughout his life he lived with passion and
purpose in service to God. He loved to sing, lead music, teach Sunday school and
Bible classes. He mentored others in faith and was an elder in his church. His greatest
joy was to see others come to faith in Jesus Christ. He was a strong supporter of
missions and contributed to many Christian based organizations.

He was an avid baseball player growing up and continued by coaching his children and
grandchildren in sports. He had a love of mathematics, computers, and anything having
to do with science and technology. But the greatest joy in his life was his family and
fellowship with his friends. He loved to travel with his wife, Orletta, as well as vacation
with his family.

In celebration of Jack's life, there will be a viewing at Hardesty Funeral Home, 12
Ridgely Ave., Annapolis MD on Friday, February 20, 2015 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.

His memorial service and internment will be held at the Evangelical Presbyterian
Church, 710 Ridgely Ave., Annapolis, MD at 11 am on Saturday, February 21, 2015.

A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to World Relief, 7 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21202 or
https://worldrelief.org/donate. Online condolences may be left
for the family at
www.hardestyfuneralhome.com

Funeral Home
Hardesty Funeral Home, P.A.
12 Ridgely Avenue Annapolis, MD 21401
410-263-2222