Daniel Ethan "Danny" Gilliland was born on August 7, 1959, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Carrol Dene ("Gill") and Mary Ann (Stanford) Gilliland. He passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 66.  Danny graduated from Jones High School and attended Central State University in Edmond. While attending college, he met Karen Adams in choir class. Their first date came about when they and several friends planned to go bowling, but all of the friends suddenly developed "headaches" and canceled. Danny and Karen went anyway and later stopped at McDonald's, where Danny discovered he had forgotten his wallet and Karen had to pay for their Coke. That memorable evening marked the beginning of a lifelong love story.  Danny and Karen were united in marriage on May 31, 1980, in Choctaw, Oklahoma. During the early years of their marriage, they resided near 50th Street and Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City while Danny was employed by Southwestern Bell and Karen pursued her college education. Karen later worked for Farmers Union during the summer months, and Danny enjoyed driving her to and from work, often meeting her for lunch at Holly’s Drive-In.  The couple subsequently made their home in Edmond before relocating to Watonga when Karen accepted a position there. Following their move, Danny attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford while maintaining employment at a local lumberyard.  He later embarked on a new career path by completing correspondence courses through Foley-Belsaw Locksmith School. Upon finishing his studies, he established and operated Dan's Lock Shop in Watonga. He became widely recognized throughout the region for assisting individuals who had inadvertently locked themselves out of their vehicles. In situations involving children or pets locked inside, Danny generously provided his services free of charge.  Danny was deeply involved in his community and church. He drove a bus for Watonga Public Schools, led music at First Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church in Watonga and at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Weatherford, and sang at numerous funerals and special events. He loved music and was a gifted self-taught pianist and guitarist. He enjoyed golfing, participated in productions with the Watonga Community Theatre, and sang in a quartet with friends LaDeana Eaton, Karen Gilliland, Gill Gilliland, Mike Lehew, and Chris Bordelon.  In December of 1989, after nearly ten years of marriage, Danny and Karen were blessed to adopt their daughter, Katy, through the Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home, one of the greatest blessings of their lives.  Danny also had the unique opportunity to serve as a shuttle driver during the 101st U.S. Open Golf Championship in Tulsa. He was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Weatherford and devoted his life to serving others through his faith, music, and acts of kindness.

Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Karen Gilliland of Watonga, Oklahoma; daughter, Katy Gilliland of Watonga, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Khaleesi Cypert of Watonga, Oklahoma; mother, Mary Ann Gilliland of Watonga, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Amy Adams of Watonga, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Mary Gilliland and husband Jim of Stillwater, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Paul Adams and wife Jean and their son Ross of Edmond, Oklahoma; as well as many cousins, other relatives and numerous friends.   

Danny was preceded in death by his father, Carrol Dene Gilliland, and his nephew, Matt Adams.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Nazarene Church in Watonga, Oklahoma, with Clint Carter officiating, cremation and Memorial Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton and Geary Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).