Final Salute

Garland C. Gilman, 92, of Montpelier, Virginia, departed this life on October 17, 2023, to be reunited with the love of his life, Carole “Mickey” Gilman, his wife of 67 years. Garland was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey L. Gilman, Sr. and Ivy F. Gilman; his son Douglas Gilman; daughter in law, Gayle Gilman; sisters, Joyce Degen and Betty Marshall; and brother, Aubrey L. Gilman, Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Sue Studds (Tony) and Tracie Haggerty; son, Dennis Gilman; and grandchildren, Christopher Gilman, Catie and Sean Haggerty; as well as his faithful cat Winston.

Garland proudly served in the Naval Reserves as a Seabee, and then retired after 39 years from C&P Telephone / Bell Atlantic. Garland was also a volunteer K-9 handler for Hanover County Sheriff’s Department and Ashland Police Department. He was devoted to training bloodhounds and their handlers from all over the country, and in 1986, he and Mickey founded Old Dominion K-9 Training, which continues to hold annual training seminars in Appomattox, Virginia.

A viewing will be held at Bliley’s Funeral Home at 8510 Staples Mill Rd. on Sunday, October 22, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and a service will be held at Bliley’s on Monday, October 23 at 12:30pm, followed by a graveside service at Westhampton Memorial Park at 2 p.m.

The family would like to thank all of the neighbors, friends, staff at Visiting Angels, Hanover Fire EMS, and the wonderful, caring and compassionate staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for taking such great care of and making Dad comfortable in his final days.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Oct. 21, 2023.