Gerald Alan Gilman

Gerald Gilman ObituaryVisit the Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home - Clarksville website to view the full obituary.Gerald Alan Gilman, age 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, atSpring Meadows Health and Rehabilitation, surrounded by his family.Funeral services will be on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 1 pm at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel. Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of the service. Rev.Kevin Roberson will officiate the service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, withRev. PK Spratt officiating.Gerry was born to Edward Raphael and Dorothy Slaton Gilman on March 26, 1927, inBoston, Massachusetts. His family moved to New York City, New York in 1936. Hegraduated from Penn State University. He also served in the Army Air Force near theend of World War II for 13 months.He moved to Chicago and met Olive (Bunny) Oliver, a girl from Paducah, Kentucky.They married and had one daughter, Maude Joann Gilman. They moved to New YorkCity, and he began his motion picture and television production career. He worked asan assistant director on such notable features as "The Godfather, Part 1", "Breakfast atTiffany's", "No Way to Treat a Lady", and "Dr Strangelove". He eventually had his ownproduction company and made many documentaries and commercials, including theCrisco commercial with Loretta Lynn, which some might remember.He and Bunny retired to Tennessee in 1987 and found an old house to remodel in Erin,Tennessee. He got involved in the local scene, joining the Historical Society,participating in the St. Patrick's Day parade", curating the Smithsonian "Home Front1940's Tour, and becoming a Hospice volunteer. He also volunteered with the Centerfor Health Service at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.After his wife's death, he went with a friend to Forest Street Methodist Church inClarksville for a Christmas program in December 1998, where he met Jane Carroll.They married in December 1999, and he moved to Clarksville. Again, he jumped intothe local arts scene, joining the Mid Cumberland Arts League and serving on theClarksville Community Concert Artists Series board. He also was a member of theDowntown Artists Cooperative and the Arts & Heritage Council. He supported theCustoms House Museum and helped produce the "Faces of Valor" books honoringveterans by serving on the Kiwanis Service and Sacrifice committee. He also designedand was instrumental in placing the Veterans' Display in the Montgomery CountyCourthouse. He received the Warioto Award from the Friends of the Library and a"Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Arts & Heritage Council. He made a list of hislife events and awards that he considered notable, and his last item was "Proud Poppaof 4 Beautiful Grandchildren".He was regarded by many as the ultimate gentleman, and he especially treated thewomen in his life, royally. He was loved by many folks and will be missed greatly. Hewas preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Bunny, his daughter, MaudeGilman-Clapham, and a brother, Donald Gilman. He is survived by his wife of 26 years,Jane Gilman, her two children, Ben Carroll (Crystal) and Amanda Markin (Barry), fourgrandchildren, Carson and Mallory Carroll, and Henry and William Markin, and son-in-law, Paul Clapham.The family is grateful for the wonderful care he received from Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center, Spring Meadows Health and Rehabilitation, and Gentiva Hospice.In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 MadisonStreet, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made atwww.nealtarpleyparchman.com.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.