There may be no better way to honor an artist than to create opportunities for others to create art and to be inspired by the beauty of nature. That was how the late James Walter Kilmer chose to pay tribute to his first wife, Garland Brandeberry Kilmer, a 1955 University of Tulsa graduate who studied painting.
His initial gift, the Garland Kilmer Memorial Art Fund, was established shortly after Mrs. Kilmer’s death in 1986. This most generous gift was partially matched by the Amoco Foundation, where he had been employed for 27 years before retiring. Proceeds from this endowment have helped to fund special projects in the TU School of Art, Design and Art History, particularly exhibition programs. For example, in 2011, the fund helped showcase the emerging art of nine graduating artists. Other examples include a national juried exhibition curated by a TU faculty member, and exhibitions by other faculty. The fund also has helped with routine maintenance and security of the Alexandre Hogue gallery space.
Mr. Kilmer also remembered his wife by funding one of the 12 Gardens at Gilcrease Museum. The Garland Kilmer Colonial Garden is designed in the parterre fashion typical of the 1700s. The symmetrical planting areas along the running bond brick walkways are anchored with a circular boxwood topiary in the center. Plants reflecting the Colonial period, such as culinary herbs and a variety of annuals, are used for ever-changing seasonal color, while yaupon holly provides year-round foliage.
James W. Kilmer was a native of Detroit, Michigan, who served in the U. S. Army in the Pacific theatre during World War II. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and pursued graduate studies in engineering at Texas A&M before starting a fulfilling career in the oil and gas industry. He retired from Amoco in 1973 as the Plant Engineering Supervisor for North America. He then went to work for Williams Natural Gas Company from 1974-1984, before becoming a consultant in the natural gas industry.
Mr. Kilmer was fortunate to find happiness again when he married Glenda Collins in 1988 in New Orleans. James was a longtime resident of Tulsa, and he and Glenda made their home in Tulsa, becoming dedicated community volunteers and frequent travelers.
James Kilmer had a long history of community service work, and he served in leadership roles in Toastmaster International (receiving a Presidential Citation in 1990 for his work in the organization); in the Engineers Society of Tulsa (President 1952-53); as a founding member of the Tulsa Engineering Foundation; and on the Board of Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries from 1988-1997, receiving a Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 96.
The University of Tulsa and Gilcrease Museum continue to be most grateful for Mr. Kilmer’s generous gifts. The Garland Kilmer Memorial Art Fund helps assure that young artists will have a place to display their works as they develop their talents, and the Garland Kilmer Colonial Garden helps bring beauty and education to the Tulsa community.
