Obituary for James Gilham
James Lew Gilham, 71, of Weston, FL and formerly of Philipsburg, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the Cleveland Clinic, Weston, Florida. Born on January 10, 1951, he was the eldest son of the late Lew D. and Norma (Bell) Gilham. On March 13, 2011, he married Jennifer R. Laws, who survives at home. In addition to his wife, James is survived by his daughter Heidi Lyn Myers and her husband Craig of West Decatur and his son Eric David Gilham and his wife Courtney of Voorhees, New Jersey. He is also survived by two brothers, Clayton Gene Gilham and his wife Jean of South Philipsburg and Patrick Wayne Gilham and his wife Lynne of West Decatur; one brother in-law Jeffrey Laws and his wife Susan of Dickerson, Maryland; and five grandchildren Camden Douglas Rudy, Kelby David Rudy, Aleksa Lyn Myers, Cassidy Rose Gilham, and Quinn Violet Gilham.
James was a 1968 graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School. He attended Lock Haven University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1972. He taught in Maryland for several years before returning to Pennsylvania. James also graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1977 and became owner of the Dahlgren-Gilham Funeral Home. In 2006, he graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Turfgrass Management and became a golf course superintendent. After retiring, James and Jennifer moved to Weston, FL in 2012.
James was a member and former President of the Philipsburg Country Club, now known as the Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club. He was also the President of the Philipsburg Kiwanis Club, Reliance Fire Company, and the first President of the Moshannon Valley Chamber of Commerce, later becoming the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership. He was also a member of the Moshannon Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, Jaffa Shrine, Blue Ball Grange, Trout Unlimited, and the United Commercial Travelers. He was also a member of a local choir.
James was an avid golfer and recorded his first hole in-one at the Philipsburg Country Club. He was able to share this love with both of his children, and eventually, with three of his grandchildren. He loved his wife and his family and friends. Together, he and Jennifer enjoyed watching their grandchildren’s sporting events and activities and looked forward to every “trip up north to see the kids.” He also enjoyed spending time with friends, whether it was hosting a dinner party or traveling the world together with them. He captured the special moments in his life through his photography.
During his retirement years in Florida, James could often be found either fishing or gardening. His Facebook was often full of photos of his beautiful tropical flowers. More recently, James re-kindled a previous interest in wildfowl carving. He enjoyed sharing these carvings with loved ones, never accepting encouragement or invitations to enter them into carving competitions.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences and memories may be made to the family at www.dahlgren-spewock.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahlgren-Spewock Funeral Home, Inc., 228 N. Centre St. Philipsburg, PA 16866.
James was a 1968 graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School. He attended Lock Haven University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1972. He taught in Maryland for several years before returning to Pennsylvania. James also graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1977 and became owner of the Dahlgren-Gilham Funeral Home. In 2006, he graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Turfgrass Management and became a golf course superintendent. After retiring, James and Jennifer moved to Weston, FL in 2012.
James was a member and former President of the Philipsburg Country Club, now known as the Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club. He was also the President of the Philipsburg Kiwanis Club, Reliance Fire Company, and the first President of the Moshannon Valley Chamber of Commerce, later becoming the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership. He was also a member of the Moshannon Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, Jaffa Shrine, Blue Ball Grange, Trout Unlimited, and the United Commercial Travelers. He was also a member of a local choir.
James was an avid golfer and recorded his first hole in-one at the Philipsburg Country Club. He was able to share this love with both of his children, and eventually, with three of his grandchildren. He loved his wife and his family and friends. Together, he and Jennifer enjoyed watching their grandchildren’s sporting events and activities and looked forward to every “trip up north to see the kids.” He also enjoyed spending time with friends, whether it was hosting a dinner party or traveling the world together with them. He captured the special moments in his life through his photography.
During his retirement years in Florida, James could often be found either fishing or gardening. His Facebook was often full of photos of his beautiful tropical flowers. More recently, James re-kindled a previous interest in wildfowl carving. He enjoyed sharing these carvings with loved ones, never accepting encouragement or invitations to enter them into carving competitions.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences and memories may be made to the family at www.dahlgren-spewock.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahlgren-Spewock Funeral Home, Inc., 228 N. Centre St. Philipsburg, PA 16866.