Michael Gillum could never be accused of sitting on the sidelines of life. He approached life, and its ups and downs, with gusto and wanted to get the most out of all of his experiences.
"He consumed life," said Scotty Hartman, a friend who was the best man at Mr. Gillum's wedding. "I mean he never did it in a reckless manner, but he really took in the things around him."
Whether he was working overseas or teaching his young children about the world, Mr. Gillum put everything he had into a task or activity, so he could get out as much as he could, his wife said.
"He welcomed life, with arms open," said Karen Gillum. "He wanted to understand the life and culture of the people where ever he was."
Michael William Gillum, of Kennesaw, died July 1 at home from complication associated with colon cancer. He was 47. A funeral was held Friday at Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta, which was also in charge of services. His body was buried at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Gillum loved to travel, and he had a unique talent for learning foreign languages. He put those two things together and was able to see the world, said his wife of 11 years.
Born in Gallipolis, Ohio, Mr. Gillum spent his high school years in Greensburg, Penn. After graduation, he joined the Air Force, where his linguistic and international adventures really took flight. While in the military, Mr. Gillum was a Russian linguist and was stationed in Berlin at the time the Berlin Wall was torn down. He spent a year in intensive study to learn Russian, for his military assignment, and decided to also learn German since he was in Berlin.
After four years in the Air Force, he went to West Virginia University and earned a bachelor's degree in international studies. He'd started learning French in high school and then spent a year in France while in college.
"He was one of those people who picked up languages very easily," Mrs. Gillum said. "He was fluent in Russian, German and French. And when he was working for the software company where we met, he spent time in China, and started to teach himself Chinese."
Mr. Hartman said though his friend was a "brilliant man, it was never anything he would demonstrate for his own benefit."
"He had a very laid-back nature," Mr. Hartman said. "And I think that is why he was able to learn so many languages, and speak them well."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gillum is survived by his son, Joshua Gillum; and daughter, Mackenzie Gillum both of Kennesaw; parents, Saundra & Bill Gillum of Rockwood, Tenn.; and brothers, Jim Gillum of Laguna Vista, Texas, and Joe Gillum of Plano, Texas.
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