Dick Gillham

Gunnison/Payson, Utah - Richard (“Dick”) Dean Gillham was born in Sioux City, Iowa on October 9, 1930, to Howard A. and Erma Aaldrup Gillham. Dick died on August 31, 2022 in Payson.

In his early years, he experienced the Great Depression and World War II. Dick served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. In Iowa, he was a member of the Shriner's, Masons, and Elks Lodge, serving people in his community.

Dick had numerous jobs through the years and was driving a semi-truck when he met Susan N. Gordon in 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Susan joined Dick driving the semi-truck while getting to know each other better. Through the years Dick and Sue worked most of the time together, side by side.

In 1991 Dick and Sue were married and started a restaurant in Crystal Lake Iowa called Gill's by the Lake and then a second one called the Hungry Hangar at the Mason City Airport. In 1996 they moved to Mayfield, Utah, having another restaurant, Gill's Old Bonnet Factory Café. All the restaurants served Broasted chicken and other specialties, as well as conversation. To Dick, no one was a stranger. He seemed to readily fit into small towns. He enjoyed the people and they him. He enjoyed people talking to him years later about these restaurants and remembering him. The people in Mayfield, Gunnison, and Payson were very good to him.

He worked with many of the missionaries in Gunnison and Payson. He chose to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 30, 2022.

Richard was survived by his wife, Susan, and his stepchildren; Richard (Staci) Gordon, S. James (Jill) Gordon, Jennie (Brad) Weltzin, and David (Jennifer) Gordon.

He is preceded in death by his parents Howard A. and Erma Gillham; and brothers Harold T. Gillham and Donald A. Gillham.

There will only be a viewing on Wednesday evening, September 7, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Payson 6th LDS Ward Chapel, 5237 West 10400 South Payson, Utah, 84651.

The family would like to thank Karen, Brenda, Jewels and Jeremy at Applegate Homecare and Hospice for their kindness and help.