Obituary: Gillikin, Harold “Dean”
Age 83
February 6, 1933 - March 18, 2016
A loving husband and father left this Earth peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning at the age of 83.
He was born in Rockingham, North Carolina to Minnie and Donald Gillikin.
After graduating from a North Carolina military academy in l952, Dean joined the Marines Corps and was stationed at the Paris American Embassy as an attache’.
Dean learned French there and loved to practice it on his family.
He even ordered his wife’s Reader’s Digest in French, so that he could practice it by reading her the stories.
He was awarded a National Defense Service medal and a Good Conduct medal.
He graduated from the University of Florida with a BA degree in business and accounting, and later received an accounting degree.
Dean worked at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. where he met his wife, Janice.
After teaching Junior High math in Anne Arundel County, Maryland for one year, Dean and Janice moved to Washington State to work for the Boeing Company.
Both Dean and Janice worked on the Minuteman Program then transferred to Huntsville, Alabama to work on the Apollo 11 Program.
Dean left Boeing after about 12 years to work for the Washington State Auditor’s offices, retiring from there after 25 years, then fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a long haul trucker.
Dean enjoyed his retirement, traveling around the Pacific North West with his wife of 57 years, his children, and grandchildren.
He loved beachcombing along the coast, finding and collecting “rare” treasures.
Dean enjoyed supporting his children with their many athletic activities, often times volunteering to coach and referee, and later finding the same joy watching his grandchildren at play.
He loved to tell the story of how the first Gillikins came to America on Captain Blackbeard’s pirate ship and of childhood joys like trying to ride the family pig around the yard or harassing the “old” farmer with watermelon stealing; and making model airplanes in an old converted rabbit hutch with his best friend.
In his later years he thoroughly enjoyed visiting the gym, and the new friendships that he made there, and especially participating in the Zumba class.
Dean was an intelligent man, a lifelong learner, and a student of history.
He was a passionate Civil War era enthusiast and memorable collector.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents Minnie and Donald Gillikin; brothers Donald, Sidney, Robert, George (Buck); sisters Francis, June, Ruth; and beloved daughter Jessica.
Dean is survived by his wife Janice; and children Joan (Mickey), Dan (Sharon), Dave (Karin), Matthew (Susie); eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and an honorary grandchild.
A small Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 26th at 3:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home.
His cremated remains will be placed in the Arlington West Niche Wall at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.