Roll Call Tribute

Victor William "Vic" Gillett, Jr. 

February 4, 1932 - October 19, 2025 

Victor (Vic) William Gillett, Jr, born February 4, 1932 in El Paso, Texas, passed away peacefully in his home on October 19, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

A descendent of a pioneer family which immigrated from France to the Republic of Texas in 1829, his parents Victor W. and Cecelia Kemper Gillett moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1945 where Vic attended high school. He was an honor student and President of Hi-Y at Corpus Christi High, graduating in 1949.

Vic attended college at Texas A & M where he studied Business Administration and was cadet cavalry troop commander in his senior year. He was elected to the Student Senate and to the Ross Volunteers, an honor guard for the Governor of Texas.

After graduating in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Business administration and a Second Lieutenants commission, Vic went on active duty with the Army during the Korean War. He served with the Third Armored Cavalry at Fort Knox, Camp Pickett and Fort Meade.

After being honorable discharged from the Army, he returned to civilian life in Corpus Christi and, following in his father’s footsteps, began working at Stewart Title as a title examiner and escrow officer. In 1955 Vic was promoted to managing the Stewart Title office in Corpus Christi and shortly thereafter was promoted to Vice President of Stewart Title at the age of 23.

In 1957 he was elected Regional Vice President of the Texas Land Title Association and made District Manager of Stewart Title operations spanning 15 Texas counties.

In 1961 Vic moved to Phoenix after accepting the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Stewart Title and Trust Company of Phoenix. Vic started operations in Phoenix with only two offices and 28 employees. In less than a dozen years Stewart Title of Phoenix expanded to 18 offices with 186 employees.

Vic became a leader in the Arizona land title industry as well as an energetic participant in the Phoenix civic and cultural life through his membership in many organizations. He was President of the Land Title Association of Arizona, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Title Insurance to the Director of Insurance for the State of Arizona, Chairman of the Maricopa Heart Association, and held memberships in the Phoenix German-American Society, Phoenix Country Club, and of course his beloved Texas A&M Aggie Club just to name a few.

In 1954 Vic married Kay Allen (deceased 2015) and together they had two sons. In 1975 Vic married Johanne Hood and together they lovingly blended their families with his two sons and her three sons.

Vic is survived by his wife Johanne; sons Vic III, Blake, stepsons Doug, Don, and Dennis, as well as nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Gig’em Aggies!