Johnny Carlton Gilley 1933 - 2022 Vacaville

Born in Yellville, Arkansas on March 16, 1933, Johnny Carlton Gilley passed away at Paramount Assisted Living Memory Care in Vacaville on December 15, 2022. He was 89 years old.

John and his parents, Hershel and Dexter Gilley, moved to Vacaville in 1942. John graduated from Vacaville High School in 1951 and continued his education at Vallejo Community College (Solano) and Sacramento State College earning a degree in Education.

In 1954 John started his career with the Crystal Union School District teaching for eleven years at Travis Elementary and Crystal Elementary School in Suisun. In the summer of 1965, he signed two contracts with the Vaca Valley Union School District, one to teach junior high and high school and the other as an assistant football and track coach. It was here, doing what he loved most, that John spent the remainder of his career until retirement in 1993 and beyond.

John was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. In retirement he resumed his lifelong passion of riding horses and frequently traveled to new destinations to trail ride and explore on horseback with his favorite horse Cuervo.

John is survived by his daughter Janel (Roger), son John (Karen), stepdaughter Angie, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a long list of nephews, nieces, and dear friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday March 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., in the Little Theater at Vacaville High School, 100 W Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville. In honor of John’s love and dedication for Vacaville High School, feel free to wear your black and orange.