CHARLES "ED" EDWARD GILLARD 
July 30, 1939 ~ May 3, 2017


Charles Edward "Ed" Gillard passed away peacefully on May 3, 2017 at the age of 77 with his wife, Anita and children Kelly and Greg, by his side.

Ed was born in Colorado Springs, CO to Allan and Elizabeth Gillard. After they divorced, his mom married Alfred Caswell, a geologist, and the little family started a slightly nomadic life. They moved to where the work was and spent time in many small towns before moving to Libya. After returning to the U.S., the family settled in McCook, NE. Ed spent his teen years in McCook and always consider this his home town where he made many lifelong friends. The day after he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Navy - a decision he would later label as "questionable." Being in the Navy gave him the chance to see the world. His tour of duty was focused in Asia where he acquired seven tattoos - another "questionable" decision. 

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Ed returned to Colorado where he met Anita Garrison. The two fell in love and were married on July 12, 1963. In 1966, they welcomed their first child, Greg and in 1969 their second child was born, Kelly. Ed attended Eastern Washington University on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1970. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Ephrata, WA. Four years later, he began his career at The Bonneville Power Administration. The family relocated to Vancouver, WA in 1973 and Ed spent the rest of his career at the BPA working in Land Acquisition and as a Hazardous Waste Specialist. 

Ed loved reading nonfiction books, watching sports and spending time with his friends and family. No one on earth enjoyed Spaghetti more than him - especially his wife's recipe!

Over the last few years Ed battled heart disease and diabetes with courage, optimism and humor. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a fun co-worker, and a dedicated friend. Ed is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anita Gillard, his children Greg Gillard (Lanice) and Kelly Golden (Jay), his grandchildren Cal and Jack Gillard, Bailee and Trey Rogers, and Megan, Carly and Cody Golden along with many other relatives and dear friends. Memorial donations can be made in Ed's honor to the American Heart Association .

Please sign Ed's guestbook
at www.columbian.com/obits.

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