Interview with John Gillis, December 21, 1997

Interview Summary

John Gillis is interviewed by telephone from his home outside of Sacramento, California. Gillis was a member of the first class of African American students that integrated the University of Kentucky in 1954. He recalls his early years and his parents, who both died when he was young. He was raised in Lexington, Kentucky, where schools, public facilities, and restaurants were segregated. Gillis attended Douglas High School and received a scholarship from the Kiwanis Club. Gillis felt he was not prepared for UK, where he majored in agriculture, but emphasizes this was not due to the fault of the teachers. He was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) and Scabbard and Blade. Gillis later joined the military in order to qualify for the G.I. Bill. He talks about the social environment at UK. He states that the students were helpful, and recalls few racial incidents.

Gillis briefly attended City College of New York after the service. He later moved to California, where he earned his bachelor's degree from California State at Los Angeles, and his master's degree from the University of Southern California. Gillis currently works with the criminal justice system. While he was an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, his daughter was murdered by gang member. Subsequently, Gillis became involved in crime victims' issues. He worked with Doris Tate, whose daughter Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson, and was appointed to the California Board of Prison Terms, which handles the hearings for murderers.

Gillis talks about being assigned to security with Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He had to escort Kennedy's body to the airport after he was assassinated, and was later invited to Washington, D. C. by George H. W. Bush to receive the National Crime Victim Service Award. Gillis has also worked with John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted."

Interview Keyword

Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) Scabbard and Blade Scabbard & Blade African American families Childhood African Americans--Economic conditions. Traditional farming African American farmers. Teachers--Kentucky African American veterans. Universities and colleges--Faculty. Gangs. Gang members.

Interview LC Subject

Gillis, John Gillis, John--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History African Americans--Conduct of life. African Americans--Education. African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. Discrimination in education. Lexington (Ky.) Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Segregation in education--Kentucky Racism African American college students--Social conditions African Americans--Education (Higher) College students--Attitudes. College students--Economic conditions College students--Social conditions Integration African Americans--Social life and customs. United States. Army. Reserve Officers' Training Corps African Americans--Employment. Law enforcement. Law enforcement--California. Victims of crimes. Murder victims Victims of violent crimes. Parents of murder victims Fathers of murder victims Murder. Homicide.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.