Byron Leonard Gillett

Byron Leonard Gillett

Byron Leonard Gillett was born in the midst of the Great Depression on January 8, 1931 in Custer County, Nebraska, where he lived with his parents Leonard and Matilda ""Tilly"" Gillett and sister Donna. Byron died in his sleep on January 2, 2019 in Parker, Colorado. As a child, Byron moved frequently and matured on the western slope of Colorado living in Durango, Ouray, Silverton, and Grand Junction.

Upon completing his education, Byron remained in Colorado for his entire life living in Frederick, Craig, and Aurora. Byron graduated from Grand Junction High School in May 1948. Thereafter, he attended Mesa College for 2 years until 1950 and then transferred to Colorado State College of Education (now UNC) where he obtained a B.M. Music in 1952. The following year he obtained a M.A. in Music at the University of Northern Colorado. Byron's first job was band director at Frederick High School in 1953.

Byron married his love, Norma Jean (Isley) Gillett in May of 1955 in Fort Morgan. Norma and Byron then moved to Craig, Colorado, where he taught at Moffat County High School and they started to raise a family. Norma and Byron relocated to Aurora, Colorado, in 1961, where they both joined Aurora Public Schools as teachers and later retired. In addition to raising three children, Norma and Byron loved to play bridge, travel the world, and share stories about their six grandchildren.

Byron had a passion for music, especially band music. Byron served as Band Director at Frederick High School – 1953-1955, Moffat County High School, Craig, Colorado (6 years) 1955-1961, Aurora High School (later Central HS) (22 years) 1961-1983 and Rangeview High School (1983-1988). Byron retired in May 1988 after 35 years of teaching. Byron was inducted in to the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1987, served as CMEA Secretary/Treasurer for 18 years, and was a member of the Phi Beta Mu Music Honor Fraternity. He conducted the John Philip Sousa Band of Colorado for 21 years and played tuba in the Dixie Land Express Jazz Band for several years. He was a 25-year Master Mason Member and a member of Parkview Congregational Church.

Byron is survived by his daughter Gail Lynn Heninger (Ralph) of Bettendorf, Iowa and their children Jacob Ralph Heninger and Emily Lynn Heninger; his son Paul Byron Gillett (Cheryl) of Centennial, Colorado and their children Alex Paul Gillett and Jack Byron Gillett; and his daughter Susan Rhay Kumli of San Francisco, California and her children Michaella Rhay Kumli and Erika Lee Kumli. Both Norma and Byron were members of Parkview Congregational Church, UCC in Aurora for many years. Memorials may be made in Byron's name to Parkview Congregational Church, 12444 Parkview Drive, Aurora, Colorado 80011.

Celebration of Life: January 12, 2019 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Parkview Congregational Church
12444 Parkview Drive
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 366-5224