John R. Gilligan

John R. Gilligan of Carmel, IN died on June 12, 2017.

John R. Gilligan was born in Indianapolis, IN on February 26, 1927 to Albert M. and Agnes A Gilligan.

A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, John graduated from George Washington High School in 1945. Immediately after graduation he entered The United States Army and was enrolled in Fort Hood, Texas for basic combat training. In August of 1945, his unit was under orders to participate in the invasion of Japan. However with the dropping of the atomic bomb and the surrender of Japan his orders were changed. His unit was shipped to Germany landing on Christmas Eve 1945. John proudly served in the US Occupation Army for 18 months.

Upon returning from service, he enrolled at Butler University studying accounting. He graduated from Butler in 1951 and received his CPA in 1953. He became a senior accountant at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. After 5 years in public accounting, he entered the corporate world as an executive.

He joined Bowes Seal Fast Corporation in 1959 as Office Manager where he met the love of his life, Blllie (McGee). They were subsequently married in January of 1961. John worked for Bowes 37 years; the last 17 years as CEO. He was on the board of directors for several Bowes subsidiaries including Bowes Pacific Corp in Riverside, California, Bowes Canada Ltd. in Hamilton, Canada, Bowes Great Britain in Hailsham, England, and H-N Advertising & Display Company in Indianapolis. In addition, he served on many other non-affiliated board of directors. He retired in 1996 and earned the highest of respect by those he worked with.

John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years Billie and his four children Janet (Craig) Royal, Patricia Jakupco, John M. (Kelly) Gilligan and Barbara (Curt) Claassen. Also surviving are eight grandchildren Carrie, Dan, Allie, Adam, Matt, Nick, Meredith, Becca, 2 great-grand daughters Emmie and Olivia and his brother William (Mary) Gilligan of California.

John is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dorthea, Albert, and James Emmett.

Visitation will be on Wednesday June 14th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan-Carmel, 325 East Carmel Dr, Carmel IN. A private funeral will be held Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.