Dusty Gillham lost his battle with cancer today. Besides being an all around great guy AND an Eagle Scout, he was also an award winning songwriter. I found a video of him on YouTube talking about songwriting and even though the picture is grainy, I can hear Dusty's wonderful voice and that makes it very special to me. I worked with Dusty for many years at the travel agency and worked there when I was pregnant with my son. (Several of us were pregnant at the same time, it was great to leave the notes on Dusty's desk telling him of our pregnancies! You should have seen his face, priceless!)
Remember when our son formed a band a few years back? When I called Dusty and told him that Christopher was going to be on stage, he made sure that he was there! He got there that night before Richard and I did and he even bought food for all the guys in the band! That was Dusty for you.
If you ever wonder what a Southern gentleman looks like or sounds like, just watch the video that I have here for you. Now you know.
P.S. If any of Dusty's family or close friends stumbles upon this blog, please know that I am thinking of you all and you have my sincere condolences. Dusty, you were right, there are a LOT of people who are missing you.
Very sad. But it sounds like he lived his life doing what he loved and made a valuable contribution in his time here.
ReplyDeleteDusty was an amazing friend to so many people! He was a great guy and truly enjoyed life.
DeleteYou have great memories of a great guy. It is wonderful that you knew and met him, and that he supported Christopher and his band.
ReplyDeleteHe always called him "Chris-Toe-PHUR", just to be funny, I think! And he gave C. his first baseball bat! He came and spoke to the Scouts and told them about becoming an Eagle Scout. He gave so much to so many people.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear this, Kay. The interview was fascinating. There is no wikipedia article about him, and I think there should be. Why don't you write one, Kay? I know you could.
ReplyDeleteI could hardly write this post about him! He deserves to have an article about him, and a good one too!
DeleteGlad you listened to the interview too, thank you. x
I am sorry to learn you have lost a dear friend. He leaves behind his legacy of music so he will live on.
ReplyDeleteMusic is forever. Dusty truly loved music, you can tell from this interview!
DeleteMy condolences to all who knew and loved him. He sounds like he was very, very special.
ReplyDeleteVery special indeed.
DeleteSpeaks a lot of sense on the video and seems like a genuine guy.
ReplyDeleteThe real deal, that was Dusty! Thanks for listening to the video. You would have loved Dusty, everyone did.
DeleteI am so sad that he has passed away. Cancer is just evil and takes no notice of talent, kindness or love. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad. Thanks for your kind words here, Diana and thanks for all the prayers that you ask for those who are suffering. x
DeleteSo sorry...my thoughts and prayers go out to you and to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
Thank you, Jill.
DeleteThe world lost a great man. It was awesome of him to be there to support your son and even feed everyone. He was a true southern gentleman. It's a shame there's one less of them now.
ReplyDeleteSomeone said about him that any one who met him was a friend for life. That is so true. Dusty loved life and was full of joy, hard to say goodbye to someone like that.
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss of such a good friend. Jackie
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie.
DeleteSuch a nice looking man. And I love his wonderful Southern accent, always been one of my favourite accents!
ReplyDeleteDusty was a dear, sweet man and I am glad you like his Southern accent too!
DeleteThis is so sad, Kay. I'm so very sorry. Dusty sounds like such a sweet man.
ReplyDeleteI wish you could have met him, Kay! He was a very sweet gentleman.
DeleteKay, Dusty and I grew up together - grade school, scouts, college, and music. I came across this post today while doing some searches on Dusty. I still miss him dearly, and this was a wonderful find and surprise. Thanks for posting it; the sentiments are shared, and the video was great. Best Regards, Glynn Chaney.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Glynn Chaney! I can't tell you how happy it made me to see this! And of course, I know you thought of Dusty especially in August as it was his birthday month! I do remember him speaking so highly of his friend, Glynn, you know I do! Dusty was just such an amazing guy, as you certainly know. I wonder how many other lives he touched in his positive way. Wasn't it great to hear his voice on this video? Once again, I thank you so very much for your comment here. You have made my day!
DeleteI'm glad you received the message - please keep in touch, my email is gckko@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteYou hear about people being "special", but Dusty was the real thing. He was a friend of a friend, and I only wish I got to know him better. I feel certain that even today, I feel his influence.
ReplyDeleteI am just seeing your comment today. "Even today, I feel his influence" and "he was the real thing". You know I agree with you 100 percent! Thanks very much for your comment! You know, just after Dusty passed away, I saw the delivery man from UPS that used to come to our travel agency. I told him I would be attending Dusty's Memorial Service. He looked at me and said, "I'll be there". He wouldn't have seen Dusty in over 20 years! Everyone loved him.
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