Leonard Gilleland

Leonard Eugene "Gene" Gilleland passed away on December 7, 2019 at Wyoming Medical Center. Services will be held Thursday December 12th, 2019 at Grace Reformed Church at 1:00pm. Reception afterward at the Casper Elks Lodge.

Gene was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on November 8, 1933 to Leonard Ernest and Georgia LouAllie (Wooden). Gene spent most of his life in Casper. When he moved here in 1947, he attended McKinley Elementary School, Casper Jr. High School and eventually graduated from Natrona County High School. He worked at Bi-rite Drug while he was in high school and as an adult worked at Indiana Oil, Northern Utilities, Little America and retired from Amoco Refinery in 1994.

He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. In 1956, Gene met his lovely wife Ronna McKinzie at the Red and White Café in Casper. They married on June 15,1958 and were married for 61 years and had 4 children. He was a natural athlete who enjoyed bowling, playing pool, golf and fast-pitch softball (he played softball until the age of 50). He took great pride in setting a Wyoming record for pitching the longest game and he managed a little league team. Gene was known for his great conversations and his ability to make others laugh with his jokes. His family was his everything and he will be deeply missed.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Gilleland, and his three sisters Betty Nichols, Teresa Adamson, and Bonnie Gwynn. He is survived by his wife and 4 children; Gene Gilleland (Cindy), Linda Minemyer (Paul), Minda Smith and Wendy Walker (Duke); his sister Judy Hunt, his brothers Jerry Gilleland, Charles Gilleland and his beloved grandchildren (John Nathan, Gene, Kelci, Kayla, Ashlee, Brandi, Derek and Dustin), and 11 great grandchildren.

Gene had a soft spot for children in need. If you want to make a donation, his favorite charity was St. Jude's Hospital for Children.