George Ezekiel Gilliland

George "Jeep" Gilliland, age 80, was called home to be with the Lord and his beloved Frieda Gilliland in Heaven on Saturday, December 3, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He leaves behind his daughter, Ronda Gilliland-Lopez; son-in-law, Clarence "Yaz" Lopez; grandchildren, Isis Lopez, Jade Lopez, and Osiris Lopez; as well as his angel on earth, Veronica "Babe" Hurlbirt. He also precedes the death of his sister, Irene Whitehead; brother, Connie Mack Gilliland; sisters-in-laws, the Spite Girls; and all of his beautiful nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jeep was born on Friday, July 10, 1942, in Roswell, New Mexico, and tirelessly devoted his life to the working people of New Mexico. In every breath, he was always working to better the Labor Movement and work environment in New Mexico. He was a member of Sheet Metal Local 49, where he began his career as a sheet metal apprentice and eventually served as Business Representative from June 1980 to July 1989. On Wednesday, January 3, 1990, he was elected President of the New Mexico Federation of Labor AFL-CIO until he retired on Saturday, September 29, 2001. He was a student, as well as a leader at the Rocky Mountain Labor School, and the George Meany Labor Studies Center.

Jeep received the distinguished service award in 1994 for leading and organizing Dollars Against Diabetes (DAD'S) Day, which raised $60,000 to fight and study diabetes. He received the United Way Community Services Award in 1988, as well as the United Way Outstanding Individual Award in 1992.

Jeep was inducted into the New Mexico Democrat Party Hall of Fame in February 1993. He was elected to the Democratic National Committee in 1998, as New Mexico's National Committeeman. He was elected as a member of Electoral College in 2000.

Jeep also served on boards for New Mexico Mutual Insurance Co. Inc., Union Savings Bank, Independent Medical Examination Provider Selection Committee, United Way Board of Central New Mexico, and the National Energy Management Committee.

If you knew Jeep he probably owed you a bean sandwich but promised to never deliver.

A Memorial Service and Reception will held for Jeep Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at FRENCH- University at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at 11:00 a.m.

Please consider in lieu of flowers provide a donation, in Jeep's name, to the Toby Wright Scholarship Fund, a scholarship for children whose parent may have been killed or seriously hurt in a work related accident. Donations can be sent to WCA of NM Foundation, 2900 Wellesley Dr. NE., Albuquerque, NM 87107.

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