John D. Gilliam Memorial Fund
Donation protected
John David Gilliam
June 12, 1943 - March 21, 2021
Joshua 1:6
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
John D. Gilliam, of Yigo, Guam, went to be with the Lord at the age of 77, on March 21, 2021.
John will be long remembered for his distinguished record of public service as an educator and economist. His legacy was the work that he did to facilitate the return of ancestral lands to the CHamoru people. Through research of historical land documents, John discovered and proved that the United States Congress had intended to return all excess federal lands to the people of Guam for their use as private property. In 1997, he drafted the bill that would later become known as the Guam Ancestral Lands Act, which was submitted by Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez and passed by the Guam Legislature to become law in 1999. Though he was not CHamoru and did not hold any ancestral land rights, he was a recognized expert on the subject and driven to do what he saw as right for the people of Guam.
He was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in the midst of World War II. Because of the war, he was orphaned at birth and taken into a foster home. John’s foster father died when John was just eight, and his foster mother died when he was fifteen. From that time forward, John was on his own.
John first arrived in Guam working as a teacher with GDOE ('66-'70). He later earned his graduate degree in the Economics of Underdeveloped Countries, at the London School of Economics & Political Science. John served as Chief Economist for the Government of Guam Economic Research Center and Economic Advisor to Governor Carlos Camacho ('71-'73), Senior Staff Officer at the Guam Legislature ('75-'76), Special Assistant to Governor Ricardo Bordallo for Business and Economic Affairs ('84-'86), Special Assistant to Governor Carl Gutierrez, and Director of Special Economic Service with the Guam Finance Commission ('94-'01).
John was a Christian, and he believed that God gives you what you need to complete the work he has placed before you. He often talked about the “promise land” and how it relates to the people of Guam. God’s hand guided John and equipped him to complete this divine assignment. Joshua 1:6 inspired him: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them,”
John was a loving husband, father, grandpa and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending church services, watching online sermons with his wife, reading voraciously, listening to BBC and evening “Unshackled” programming on the radio, binge watching NCIS, and enjoying lollipops and chocolate chip cookies.
John will be missed by his devoted and loving wife, Glenda Estrellado; his children Sweet One & Matt, Dear Heart & Gary, and Richie; and his grandchildren Praise, Alleluia, King, Malakai, Heavenly, and Skye.
Last respects will be held on Saturday, April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Assembly of God Church in Harmon. Memorial service to commence at 12:00 p.m. with live streaming on YouTube (SPAG Guam) and Facebook (Saint Paul Assemblies of God).
The family is profoundly grateful for your love, prayers, and generosity. All financial contributions will go towards assisting the family with funeral and medical expenses.
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June 12, 1943 - March 21, 2021
Joshua 1:6
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
John D. Gilliam, of Yigo, Guam, went to be with the Lord at the age of 77, on March 21, 2021.
John will be long remembered for his distinguished record of public service as an educator and economist. His legacy was the work that he did to facilitate the return of ancestral lands to the CHamoru people. Through research of historical land documents, John discovered and proved that the United States Congress had intended to return all excess federal lands to the people of Guam for their use as private property. In 1997, he drafted the bill that would later become known as the Guam Ancestral Lands Act, which was submitted by Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez and passed by the Guam Legislature to become law in 1999. Though he was not CHamoru and did not hold any ancestral land rights, he was a recognized expert on the subject and driven to do what he saw as right for the people of Guam.
He was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in the midst of World War II. Because of the war, he was orphaned at birth and taken into a foster home. John’s foster father died when John was just eight, and his foster mother died when he was fifteen. From that time forward, John was on his own.
John first arrived in Guam working as a teacher with GDOE ('66-'70). He later earned his graduate degree in the Economics of Underdeveloped Countries, at the London School of Economics & Political Science. John served as Chief Economist for the Government of Guam Economic Research Center and Economic Advisor to Governor Carlos Camacho ('71-'73), Senior Staff Officer at the Guam Legislature ('75-'76), Special Assistant to Governor Ricardo Bordallo for Business and Economic Affairs ('84-'86), Special Assistant to Governor Carl Gutierrez, and Director of Special Economic Service with the Guam Finance Commission ('94-'01).
John was a Christian, and he believed that God gives you what you need to complete the work he has placed before you. He often talked about the “promise land” and how it relates to the people of Guam. God’s hand guided John and equipped him to complete this divine assignment. Joshua 1:6 inspired him: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them,”
John was a loving husband, father, grandpa and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending church services, watching online sermons with his wife, reading voraciously, listening to BBC and evening “Unshackled” programming on the radio, binge watching NCIS, and enjoying lollipops and chocolate chip cookies.
John will be missed by his devoted and loving wife, Glenda Estrellado; his children Sweet One & Matt, Dear Heart & Gary, and Richie; and his grandchildren Praise, Alleluia, King, Malakai, Heavenly, and Skye.
Last respects will be held on Saturday, April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Assembly of God Church in Harmon. Memorial service to commence at 12:00 p.m. with live streaming on YouTube (SPAG Guam) and Facebook (Saint Paul Assemblies of God).
The family is profoundly grateful for your love, prayers, and generosity. All financial contributions will go towards assisting the family with funeral and medical expenses.
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Organizer and beneficiary
Maria Leon Guerrero
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Jesus Leon Guerrero
Beneficiary