Lance Ray Gilmer's Obituary
Lance Ray Gilmer, age 67, of Bartlett, TN, made it to his forever home on March 26, 2026 after a long battle with cancer. Lance was born on December 22, 1958 to Barbara Guenlee Roddy and Dennis Marlin Gilmer in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on Ramey Air Force Base. He was raised in Southern California and finished his high school career in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated with an associates degree from Arizona Western College where he was student body president. While in Arizona he completed his flight training and received his private pilot’s license. At age 23, he decided to join the Marine Corps. After completing basic training in San Diego, he was stationed in Millington, TN for schooling on the F/A-18 aircraft. While at school in NAS Millington he met his “Southern Belle”, Sherrie Lee Millican, in October of 1983. They began dating in January of 1984, were engaged in March 1984, and married July 7, 1984. After graduating from A school, they were transferred to NAS Lemoore, California. While stationed there, they welcomed their first son, Jacob, in 1986. In 1987, they were transferred from Lemoore to NAS Cecil Field, Florida for instructor duty. While serving there, their second child, Ryan, was born in 1988. Two years later their little girl, Kaysie, was born in 1990. Lance was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1991 and the family moved to Memphis, TN.
In 1992 he began his thirty-two year career at Federal Express. While working on the ramp, he attended A&P school to obtain his A&P license at Tennessee College of Applied Technology. He then started working as an aircraft maintenance instructor. He traveled the world to train new mechanics in engine run and taxi. He was a wonderful teacher and well respected by his colleagues. He enjoyed his career until his retirement in 2024.
Through the years he loved watching his family grow through marriage and the addition of many grandchildren. He loved to take all his kids and grandchildren to the shooting range to share in one of his favorite hobbies. He enjoyed all aspects of golf, from playing golf with his two sons and family to serving at the FedEx St. Jude Championship alongside his wife. Through his world travels he developed a love of eating exotic foods and often had special sushi dates with his daughter. He was a loving and devoted “Poppy” to his seven grandkids. His family always knew they could count on him. He did his best to make it to every important event in their lives and always had a camera to capture the memories. Making lasting memories with his loved ones was his highest priority.
He is preceded in death by his father, Dennis Gilmer and step-mother, Judy Cooper.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sherrie Gilmer; his parents Barb and Jim Roddy; his siblings: Denise Thomson (Ken), Marlin Gilmer (Tammie), and Warren Roddy (Sonia); his children: Jacob Gilmer (Jennifer), Ryan Gilmer (Kelsey), and Kaysie Gilmer; his grandchildren: Aubrey, Caroline, Parker, Adalie, Mason, Nicholas, and Elena; and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive visitors at 10am on Wednesday, April 1st at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, TN with a service to follow at 11am. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Lance.
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