James Dudley Gillen, who graduated in the Douglas MacArthur High Class of 1965, has passed away, September 30, 2024.
Jim was a track athlete as a freshman and a wrestler as a sophomore, joined the class council as a sophomore, then got involved in vocational graphic arts as a junior and senior.
Jim fondly remembers his first car, a 1963 Chevy; "I paid for it myself. It was green. Sometimes we had to push it to get it started."
Born on February 2, 1947, and raised in Decatur, Illinois, Jim was the youngest of four siblings, which were three boys and one girl.
Jim was educated in the Decatur School System, and then attended Richland Community College. He married Sue, the young woman he dated through high school. and have three grown sons, grandsons and a granddaughter.
After graduating from high school, Jim began his employment a printer for the Rand McNally Co. He then changed jobs in 1970, moving to the Decatur Fire Department. During the 34 years there, he was promoted through the ranks, and for his final ten years served as a Battalion Chief.
Old neighbor friend, Lanny Aderman (on the right here), passed along the news Jim had passed away, suffering from dementia.
James D Gillen (Jim, Jimbo or Slim Jim) died on Monday September 30th, 2024, in his home alongside his wife and sons at the age of 77. Jim was born on February 2, 1947, in Decatur. Son of Albert & Martha (Gasten) Gillen. Jim graduated from MacArthur High School in 1965. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart Sue Ann (Roderick) on August 5, 1966.
While Jim spent much of his career serving the greater Decatur community as a member of the Decatur Fire Department, his greatest accomplishments were raising and coaching his sons throughout their youth. As well as cheering from the stands or watching from the fence line as his grandchildren participated in Warrensburg-Latham sporting events.
Jim spent countless hours to build their family home, and never stopped renovating until 2022. There was no such thing as an off day for this loving and supportive husband, father grandfather and friend. Jim’s most notable attributes were his goofy sense of humor, heartfelt smile and extremely stubborn mindset. He never met a stranger, and he always cared for those who might need just a little more.
In 1970 Jim began his over 33 years of service with the Decatur Fire Department. His sons, nieces and nephews-built memories of visiting their dad and uncle at the station. He rose in rank throughout the years from a Lieutenant to a Battalion Chief where he retired in 2003.
Jim is survived by wife Sue Gillen, Sister Joyce (Gillen) Morenz of Tulsa Oklahoma, Sons; Scott (Amy) Gillen – Decatur, Greg (Alicia) Gillen – Decatur, & James (Christina) Gillen – Decatur. Special Niece, Ashley (Jeff) Rhodes – Decatur. Grandchildren; Reagan (Dustin) Adams – Warrensburg, Shayne Gillen, Penelope & Ezra Baker – Decatur. Great Granddaughter Harper Adams - Decatur.
He is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Martha (Gasten) Gillen. Siblings; Dick Gillen, Ron Gillen. Son Todd Gillen and Grandson Tanner Gillen.
While Jim likely never realized how much of a positive spirit in life, he was he touched the lives of many and will never be forgotten. As Jim would always say “I don’t know about that.” We don’t know about life without you, but we do know you made one hell of an impact.
