- Date Of Birth: February 17, 1973
- Date Of Death: April 5, 2018
- State: Maryland
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Gilley IV, USMC left us, too soon, on April 5, 2018. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Lieutenant Colonel Gilley attended Glen Burnie High School where he met the love of his life for 29+ years Kimberly Wagner. They were married July 12, 1997 and were given the blessing of two wonderful children, Ryan and Sarah.
A graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County in May of 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Minors in Accounting and Finance, he was further commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in August of 1996. He served as a Ground Logistics Officer at numerous stations to include Okinawa, Japan; Quantico, VA, Camp Lejeune, NC, Central Command (CENTCOM) located in Tampa, FL, National War College, Washington D.C. and Fort Lee, VA where he served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Detachment Fort Lee. In his last assignment, he returned to Tampa, FL serving with Marines at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, CENTCOM, Tampa, FL.
Lieutenant Colonel Gilley deployed in support of numerous overseas operations and contingencies to include serving as a U.N. Military Observer in Western Sahara, Africa. He was also a veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM where he earned the Combat Action Ribbon.
Tom’s first priority was his Family. He took care of them with selflessness and love. Each night he turned down his wife’s bed and tucked her in. Made sure his kids were in check and ready for any situation. Tom was a good soul, hard worker, optimist, avid runner, and triathlete. Always determined to reach the next level: no matter the cost. He always found the time for other people and put his own needs to the side. Tom was also known to be a man of many qualities; determined, trust worthy, disciplined, time savvy, consultant, organized, athletic, loving, and always trying new things. To show and remind everyone of this, here are words by the man himself… ” I have never met a stranger”. To his wife he always said “You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me; I love you always and forever and a day”
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Kimberly Gilley; son Ryan Gilley, daughter Sarah Gilley; Thomas H. Gilley, JR father; Matthew Gilley, brother; Tina Powell, sister; Pamela Wagner, mother in law; Terry Wagner, father in law; Kelly Cavey, sister in law; Shannon Cavey, brother in law; God Father to Tyler, Braeden and Keegan.
