Mr. Jamy L. Gillan's Obituary
Jamy Lance Gillan, 44, passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2021 after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. Jamy was born on July 28, 1976 in Fort Myers Florida to Glen Gillan and Debbie Jo Higgins. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Saginaw until he moved to Montague in 1990 with his family. Jamy attended Montague High School and graduated Class of 1994. Jamy can still be remembered as the guy that could do cartwheels across the gymnasium, teach a few dance moves, was a symbolic cheerleader and loved and admired by many.
Jamy met his wife Michelle 18 years ago at his second home, a golf course. Their love story is one that many may only dream to have. Together they have supported each other through sickness and health, through success and fail, have followed their passions and built a successful life that is inspiring; a love that flows to all those around them and has made an impact far and wide.
Though Jamy managed to beat cancer once before when he was 18, 26 years later, after a second diagnosis and a heroic 2-year fight, he succumbed to the disease at home with his wife by his side. Having cancer when he was young gave Jamy a greater appreciation for life that many people may not come to have until later in life. Therefore, Jamy never held back, always went for it and lived life to the fullest without any regrets.
He was a self-taught Information Technology Specialist and advanced the ranks up to Management at Gerber Life Insurance. Jamy was an entrepreneur at heart though and developed the online store Tech-Ops.net; that he and his wife ran together for a couple years. In 2011, the two were given further opportunity to continue to run a business together by becoming the Michigan Tour Directors for the Golfweek Amateur Tour. It was the perfect opportunity to combine his entrepreneurial drive and his passion for golf.
During his time with the Tour he created an Administration/Livescore system that he originally created to make the job easier and more automated. Work smarter, not harder, as he would say. Word of this beneficial tool spread to other directors across the nation and they wanted to use it as well. Jamy modified and advanced the system to accommodate Director and Player needs and is still used and appreciated by them all today.
Creating the system to help directors and players speaks volumes to Jamy’s character as he was always the first to help anyone with a need and never looked for anything in return. He would be described as driven, selfless, courageous, giving and someone who thoroughly enjoyed playing golf. Jamy would explain that he liked that nobody could perfect the game, which is ironic as he is a self-proclaimed perfectionist, and that it was a great way to spend time with his wife and his friends. Jamy also enjoyed skiing/snowboarding, boating, fishing and pretty much anything that allowed him to embrace the outdoors while enjoying that time with family and friends. Jamy’s family and friends were his biggest drive in life. He loved seeing them happy and would do anything he could to ensure their happiness. That is who Jamy was – a giver.
Jamy is survived by his wife Michelle Gillan (Freye), father Glen Gillan, brother Chancy Gillan, sister Chandra Fles, half-brother Josh Higgins, his nieces Zoey Dorman and Trinity Medlen, nephew Levi Fles, mother-in-law Wanda Freye, as well as many loving extended family members, friends and golfers across the nation. Jamy was preceded in death by his mother Debbie Jo Higgins, father-in-law Tim Freye, stepbrother Aaron Weatherwax, Aunt Gaye Block and his grandparents.
Due to Covid attendance restrictions, there will be a small visitation for immediate family only on Saturday, February 13th. A Celebration of Life is being planned for outdoors in the Spring. Jamy did not have a favorite charity so, if you are wanting to make a donation, he asked that you donate to your own favorite charity and can do so in his name if you wish. If you would like to donate to Michelle & the Gillan family, please visit https://www.everloved.com/life-of/jamy-gillan Arrangements for Jamy have been entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
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