ORVIN W Gilliland

O.W. "Yogi" Gilliland, 55, passed away on March 11, 2013, after a two year battle with cancer. His family was by his side to the end. Yogi was born in Emporia, Kansas on January 7, 1958, to Orvin Wayne and Ruth Gilliland.

As a child, Yogi developed a love of nature and sports. He especially enjoyed bird watching, baseball, tennis, football, and Frisbee, earning a state title for Frisbee maneuvers. After graduating high school early, Yogi moved on to higher education where he relocated to Pocatello, Idaho to attend Idaho State University. There he obtained a degree in Biology and went on to use his education and talents in various lines of business. His outgoing personality aided him in developing some very close relationships and he continued to be loyal to those friends throughout the years. As an adult, Yogi was an adventurous entrepreneur which led him to travel, to experience and enjoy his love of nature, and to be what he truly was, a community gatherer. Yogi loved to fly fish, camp and was happiest when enjoying any outdoor activity.

In the 1983 he married Verona Pickert and together they raised their children Colter, Megan and Kayla to enjoy their love of community, the outdoors and sports. Yogi was a passionate supporter of his children, especially when they played soccer. Many a soccer player in Utah and surrounding states have heard his voice, as he was the loudest and most passionate fan on the sidelines. He was always promoting others to commit to their potential and strive for their goals. He consistently had a smile on his face to share or a warm sparkle in his eye. He was widely known as a joker, a prankster, a father and everyone's biggest fan.

Yogi was a great member of Utah's Catholic community in which he was very active. Yogi will forever live on in the greatest of memories that all of his friends and family hold so close. Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." You now live in God, and will always live in our hearts. Pals Forever!

Please join us for a graveside service on Saturday March 23, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at Wasatch Memorial Gardens, 1718 Combe Road in South Ogden. Also, come celebrate an amazing life immediately after the service, in the Black Box Theater at St. Joseph Catholic High School, 1790 Lake Street, Ogden, UT.