Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....GILLEN, THOMAS THORNTON JR. September 8, 2009
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Gina Brown http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006026 September 15, 2009, 3:58 pm

News Star World - September 15, 2009
THOMAS THORNTON GILLEN, JR.
Baton Rouge, LA.

An entrepreneur and early pioneer in lobbying, public relations and 
broadcasting, Tom Gillen died in his sleep early on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 
in Baton Rouge. He was 92.

Born at Scott Field, Illinois, where his father was stationed during World War 
I, "Tommy" spent his early childhood in Amite City, a place he always 
considered as his home. Later, he attended Fortier High School in New Orleans 
and earned a state boxing championship in the 1930s. After graduating from 
Neville High School in Monroe, he got his start in politics at LSU as campaign 
manager for childhood friend Russell B. Long's successful campaign for student 
body president. During World War II, Tom enlisted in the Army Air Corps and 
received medals of commendation for successful completion of 47 bombing 
missions in the European theater.

After the war, Tom Gillen became a successful public relations consultant and 
lobbyist in Baton Rouge for several decades. He was politically active behind 
the scenes, and was closely involved in the administration and campaigns of 
his close friend Gov. Earl K. Long, Gov. Jimmie Davis and Gov. John McKeithen. 
He was also involved in numerous other local, state and national election 
campaigns.

He was an early director of the United States Brewers Foundation (now the Beer 
Industry League) and lobbied the Legislature for acts that remain on the books 
today. He also represented political agencies, major corporations and trade 
associations.

As a promoter and investor, he was involved in various business ventures, 
including a chain of grocery stores, pizza parlors, real estate developments, 
insurance companies, newspapers and radio and TV stations. He directed and 
produced the "Panorama Show," a weekly television political review, which 
featured in-depth interviews with local and statewide political officials.

Retirement brought about the opportunity to enjoy his naturally creative 
nature through reading, writing and spending time with his family and friends. 
He lived with his son Michael in Baton Rouge until his death.

Tom Gillen was private yet gregarious, tenacious yet compromising and had a 
passion for life, living his to the fullest. He will be truly missed by all 
those who had the opportunity to know him.

He is survived by his brother, Bennett M. Gillen, sons Michael S. Gillen and 
Patrick T. Gillen, their mother Mittie P. Gillen, Pat's wife Judi and four 
grandchildren, Katherine, Elizabeth, Kelsey and Colin Gillen, all of Baton 
Rouge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the EBR Parish 
Library Children's Department or to the LSU School of Journalism. 


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