James Oakley Gillahan

JAMES  OAKLEY  GILLAHAN, age 80, beloved husband of Nancy (nee Keller), loving father of Michael Gillahan (Cathy), and Molly Simmons (Michael), dear grandfather of Avery and Margaret Gillahan, brother of Danny Gene Gillahan, Margaret Ann Goodman, and the late Robert Hina Gillahan, uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 9:00-11:00 am at Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church, 13200 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 44130. A Masonic Service and Memorial Service will take place at the church at 11:00(after visitation) with a luncheon to follow. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS donations may be made to the following:   Grand Lodge of Ohio Charitable Foundation, 1Masonic Drive, Springfield, Ohio, 44504, www.Freemason.com/donate or Children’s Dyslexia Centers Cleveland location at, www.Childrensdyslexiacenters.org/donate.

Jim was born in Berea, OH. He attended Berea High School and graduated in 1960. A photography enthusiast, he took a break from taking pictures to serve four years in the Air Force in the 1960s. Shortly before his discharge from the Air Force, he married the love of his life, Nancy in 1967. First working for others, and then owning the business himself, he took school pictures, senior portraits, wedding photos, and many other types of pictures for 35 years.  After selling his photography business, he provided realty services for the next 15 years as an agent for Clint Williams Realty. Many will remember the beautiful log cabin that he and Nancy built and lived in for 32 years before downsizing and moving to neighboring Strongsville where Nancy plans to remain. 

Jim was an active Freemason for over 50 years, rising to serve as a District Deputy Grand Master. He made many life-long friends that he loved spending time with and serving alongside. He was a longtime member of Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed serving in the community and going on mission trips. 

Jim was a family man, doting on Nancy, his children, and grandchildren every chance he got. He loved to travel with them, share a meal, or just be together. In his free time, Jim loved working on his tractor, grilling, sitting on their log cabin porch, and, and most recently, baking cookies and playing in his vegetable garden. 

Jim’s family and friends will miss him dearly, but are grateful for so many wonderful years together.

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