Memorial Planned For Deer Park Boy

Thu., May 4, 2000

The family of Max Gillam is planning a memorial service for the 9-year-old boy at Deer Park Middle School at 11 p.m. Saturday.

Max, a student at Riverside Elementary, died Saturday of a head injury when the boat driven by his father ran into bridge pilings on the Pend Oreille River.

His brother, Chuck, 11, was to be released from Sacred Heart Medical Center today.

The boy’s father, Matthew A. Gillam, remains under investigation. He was intoxicated at the time of the accident, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Gillam was laid off the day before the accident from his job as a union carpenter, family therapist Bev Klotz said.

The family has established a trust fund at the Deer Park branch of the Bank of America to help pay for Chuck’s medical bills.

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