This weekend, I am going be included amongst an extensive list of deserving folks being honored by the Salem-Keizer High School Sports Booster Club for long-term service to student-athletes in the Salem-Keizer community. There are ten so called “Beacon” honorees—all of them worthy of the accolades heaped upon them. I am grouped in the community service category along with fellow broadcasters John Piper and Alan Bushong of CCTV (now CC-Media). There will also be a long list of student-athlete and coaching honors presented. It should be quite the night.
But this feature isn’t about me, although I am honored to be included in this year’s ceremonies. No, this is about the man who should be up on stage with me, but isn’t. My dad.
Jerry Gilman passed away in October of 2020, succumbing to multiple myeloma, an insidious blood cancer that also took the life of our former radio boss at KBZY Radio. I remember hugging Dad the night before he died. He was in considerable pain, and his muscles were completely rigid in response. Hospice care was already in place when he died early the next morning.
Last Father’s Day was marred by COVID still being a societal hindrance, and Dad got only token remembrances as a result. But this year, “normal” is almost real on the streets, and the Beacons awards are back after the pandemic-caused delay.
My father should be receiving this award with me. For thirty years, we packed together with our loyal broadcast crew in press boxes across the Salem-Keizer School District, calling football games on KBZY and CCTV. I was (and still am) the play-by-play guy, he was the analyst—fitting for a man with over 30 years of football coaching experience. He used to joke that I “got him a job in radio.” It was sort of true, but he was more than qualified.
During those thirty years, Dad and I shared many great experiences. A long list of exciting Valley League football contests. Journeys to various playoff venues—from the aging, claustrophobic booth at Sandy High School, to the spacious confines at Reser and Autzen Stadiums. We broadcast a total of five “upper-division” state championship football games—with three wins in the mix (Sprague once, McNary twice). We even did a lower level title game for Central High School in 1998. Dad also did basketball analysis for several years, and was part of South Salem’s 1996 championship broadcast at the Rose Garden. In addition, we had several great years doing football at Western Oregon University—where Dad had been a starting guard for the football team in the late 1950s and early 60s.
My father retired from the broadcast booth in 2017 to stay home with my mom—who was having memory issues. None of us kids were aware of just how severe her dementia was or would become. She passed away in August of 2021. We finally had their ashes buried together at their plot in Belcrest Cemetery several weeks later. My bride Theresa and I honored them with flowers and some photos this past Memorial Day. My brother and sisters and I are still missing our parents every day, and still have some trouble accepting their departure.
Jerry Gilman should be receiving a Beacon award at this fantastic event. And my eyes will water fiercely when I get up on that stage. If you see me raise the award in the air for just a moment before I exit for my seat Saturday night, know I’m just giving Dad a little better look at it.
I miss you, Dad.