James Gillgam

James Robert Gillgam, met his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, face to face on Friday, January 31, 2020, at the age of 57.

Jim was born in Hendersonville, NC, on December 3, 1962. At the age of 7, he moved with his parents and sister, Jean, to Alexandria, VA, where his father took a job with the Interstate Commerce Commission. Jim graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, June 1981. He furthered his education at Northern Virginia Community College where he earned an Associates degree in Commercial Art/Illustration.

Growing up in Northern Virginia, Jim acquired an insatiable interest in Civil War and Revolutionary War history which led him to visit various historical sites and battlegrounds, and metal detect freshly bull-dozed land being prepared for development. He so enjoyed “playing in the old dirt” looking for relics and rusted treasures.

A man of many talents – While Jim could throw a baseball at 90 mph in high school as T.C. Williams’ pitcher, he left that behind to pursue his passion for illustration. Wildlife and landscapes dominated Jim’s pencil artwork, along with cherished pet portraits. He also dabbled in oils and graphic illustration.

Not surprisingly, Jim’s employment history consisted of various Illustrator/Graphic Artist positions in both Northern Virginia (through 2005) and North Carolina (until 2020). Employers included:  various government contractors, the United States Air Force Art Department, Volvo and Honda.

Most importantly, however, Jim would want to be remembered as a “good and faithful servant” of Jesus who “finished well.”

Jim married his wife Diana in 1993, and they adopted their daughter, Lauren in 2008. He is survived by his wife, Diana; their daughter Lauren (her husband and their children); his sister Gail (her husband, their children and grandchildren); his brothers-in-law, their wives and his nieces and nephews.

Jim is predeceased in death by two sisters Jean and Ann, and his parents, Mary and Harlo.

Visitation will be held at Grace Reformed Baptist Church (939 South Third Street, Mebane, NC  27302) at 1:30pm Saturday, February 8, 2020 with the Memorial Service to follow at 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to either Wycliffe Bible Translators or Bible League International.