Sept. 6, 1933 – Jan. 31, 2025

Keith Gilliland, a beloved educator, legendary coach and gifted athlete, passed away on Jan. 31 leaving a legacy of excellence and dedication that touched generations. He was 91 years old.

Keith was born in Callao, Peru while his parents, Dr. Roy and Susan Gilliland, were serving as medical missionaries. From an early age, Keith’s life was shaped by service and a deep love for sports, science and being outdoors – values he carried with him throughout his life.

Growing up alongside his three brothers – Bruce, Vince and Victor – Keith was part of a remarkable family of athletes, physicians and science educators. All four brothers were coached by the renowned track coach Payton Jordan at Occidental College. In 1956, long before the Fosbury Flop and cushioned landing pits, Keith cleared 6’4″ in sawdust, famously out-jumping future NBA legends Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

But Keith’s greatest impact came not from his own athletic feats but from the decades he spent guiding and inspiring young people as a science teacher and cross country/track coach at Crescenta Valley High School from 1961 to 1998. Over nearly 40 years he was an enthusiastic teacher and coach who guided athletes and teams to multiple league championships, CIF titles and one CIF 4-A championship. In addition, he coached many All CIF, All-American and Olympians during his career. Keith was inducted into the Crescenta Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.

He helped organize the Kenny Staub Cross Country Invitational, held at Crescenta Valley Park for more than four decades, helping it become a staple in the Southern California running community. His excellence was recognized in 1995 when he received the prestigious CIF Coach of Excellence Award.

Outside of teaching and coaching, Keith traveled the world with his beloved wife Lynnai and their friends. He also enjoyed weekly poker nights and various card games with friends. You could commonly find Keith doing crossword puzzles while watching sports on TV, bird watching or informing everyone about the wildlife that surrounded them – along with some bad puns.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents (Roy and Susan), brothers (Kenneth, who died in infancy, Bruce, Vince), former wife (Sue), his daughter (Cathy) and his grandson (Anders). His younger brother Victor passed away this summer. 

He is survived by his wife Lynnai; children Ken (Rhonda), Mark, Kristen (Jeffrey); stepchildren Christy (Chris), Steven (Tamara), Brandon (Marcy), and Taylor (Allie); and many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

All are invited to a celebration of Keith Gilliland’s life on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 1-3 p.m. in the Crescenta Valley High School auditorium. All are welcome!