Big Dan

I chose this post for Christmas, because it is my most-read post ever - over 1200 readers from dozens of countries.

I lost my nephew, Big Dan Gillum, just a short time back.

When Dan was about 13, and I was a grown man, Dan challenged me to an arm wrestling contest. I knew Dan well, and I could see nothing to be gained except a lot of embarrassment by accepting that challenge, so I declined.

     My dad talked a lot about Uncle Will, who was several generations back in my family. He told me a number of times that Uncle Will could wrap his big hand around the horn of a one hundred pound anvil, and hold it straight out. Uncle Will bought a sawmill one day that the bank had taken away from another man. This man shot him in the back one day as Uncle Will rode his horse away from that sawmill. Uncle Will’s genes seem to have been strong also, because in each subsequent generation, that great strength seemed to be passed on to one or two lucky men. Big Dan had that strength.

     I was completely passed by. But I did have one strength when I was young. I could run a long way. I never had speed, but I discovered fear could add wings to my feet when trouble loomed. So, I made it through my younger years OK.

     Years later, I was working on a gas well in Oklahoma. Big Dan roared up on his Harley one day, wanted a job. He was quickly hired.

     One day a young, very small, very strong roughneck bragged that he could climb up a thirty foot drill pipe leaning up against the well. Nobody believed him, so he did. When he reached the top, he looked down to see how amazed we all were. He saw that Big Dan, who probably weighed 280 in those days, was right behind him. That took some of the shine off that roughneck’s accomplishment.

     Big Dan lived a hard life. Lots of trouble. Drug problems sent him to prison a couple of times. He ran with the Hell’s

Angels for a time.  

     But just a few years ago, he changed. No more trouble. But he was having lots of health problems. He would get up very early, drain a couple of coffee pots, and disappear, working about half a day. Often he delivered groceries to people in need. Sometimes he just helped people who needed it. The rest of the day he spent hooked up to an oxygen tank.

     He had found a Church, several miles away. Most of us knew few people in that church. But we all knew Dan was there every time the church doors were opened.

     A couple of years ago, I spent the night at Dan’s house. We talked late into the night. Dan was excited to tell me about his new-found life with The Lord. Finally I headed to bed. But I stopped, turned, caught Dan’s eye, and said – “I’m proud of you, Dan. You’re a good man.”

     “Thanks, Uncle Pat. You’ve always been a good man.”

     I slept well that night.

     Dan Died at fifty eight. Partially because of his hard early life.

     Dan’s Church wanted to do his memorial service. Our family agreed. The service was amazing to all in our family. I don’t use that word lightly. I wanted to know more about how Dan’s relationship with this Church came about. The pastor, a really top notch man, was glad to tell me.

     Dan showed up there one day, and they welcomed him. Soon he was actively involved. Dan never tried to hide his past life, but was eager to tell them all about how the Lord had turned his life around. His great strength seemed to be that he was determined to be a better man with the Lord, and he never went back. His heart was set on becoming a better man, and spend the rest of his life working for the Lord. Dan prayed each morning that God would put someone in his path that day that he could help. And the Lord did. A lot.

     The service was at 2:00 Sunday afternoon. Many people from the Church fed my family a wonderful meal at 12:00. It seemed most all of the church members came back for the service.

     The service just totally blew away all us Gillums. The pastor gave a great talk, a stage full of wonderful singers sang beautiful songs. The pastor asked if maybe one or two of the church members wished to speak. One man related to us that he heard a tractor in his field early one morning. When he investigated, Big Dan was bush hogging his field. Dan just said, “I thought you might need some help.”  Several other people stood up and related similar stories. When it was over, all the church, it seemed, came by, crying, expressing great love for Big Dan.

     Afterwards, I told the pastor,  “Well, I don’t have an exact date yet, but I want to reserve a spot. I want a service like that!” My family all agreed. Everyone wanted a true Celebration of Life Service like Big Dan’s.

     All of us who are saved know we will find a wonderful life in Heaven someday. Big Dan has that life right now. But Dan showed us all: we do not have to die to find that wonderful life. Dan found his right here on earth in Arkansas.

     I related this story to the men at Pine Bluff Prison. They really seemed to take it to heart. Possibly, Big Dan’s work for his Lord on this earth is not yet over.