LANCASTER, S.C. – Mr. Thurman Theodore Gillis, 84, passed away Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
He was the son of the late Golda Gillis Perry.
Thurman was the owner of Gillis Used Parts in Lancaster and Rock Hill, S.C. If you saw a Gillis Used Parts sign on one of his vehicles, you would see “lil Griffin” and “Big Gillis” on the corners or on the doors. He said he worked every day for Lisa, Gillis and Griffin, but Lisa and Gillis always knew that Griffin was his favorite.
For many years, he was an avid sponsor of Dixie baseball sponsoring his grandson’s team, Gillis Used Parts, and even threw out the first pitch with Gillis at a baseball game.
He loved surprising the boys with gifts, like a golf cart one Christmas when neither of them was old enough to drive it. Griffin’s first four-wheeler was in the garage with a sign on it one afternoon, and a dirt bike was delivered to Gillis at a baseball game.
He was diagnosed a few years ago with Alzheimer’s. Before this horrible disease took his mind, he loved NASCAR racing and NFL football, and the Miami Dolphins were his favorite team. His famous words to the boys many times was, “Poppa Thurman loves you,” and he did in his own special way.
Thurman is survived by his daughter, Lisa Parker and her husband, Brian; his grandsons, Gillis Scott Robinson and Griffin Brice Robinson; Scott Robinson, his grandsons’ Dad and special caregiver; sister-in-law, Jeanette Robinson and her husband, Morrison; his only nephew, Mark Robinson and his wife, Barbara; two great-nieces, Savannah Robinson and Emily Catterton and her husband, Justin; his previous wife and Lisa’s mom, Pat Gillis-Bunch; his stepgrandchildren; BJ Parker, Colby Parker, Kayti Parker, Matt and Jaxson.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Robert Thurman Gillis; and his mother, Golda Gillis Perry.
A drop-in of remembrance for Thurman will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at Burgess Funeral Home.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the LSPCA, P.O. Box 3042, Lancaster, SC 29721.
The family will be at the home of Lisa and Brian Parker.
An online guest register is available for condolences on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.
Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. Thurman Gillis.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
