Orlando "Chop" Gilbreath

On August 17, 1961, Orlando Myron Gilbreath “Chop” was born to the late Edward Van Gilbreath, Sr., and Vurnell Gilbreath.

He attended Lamar Elementary School, Fannin Middle School, and Amarillo High School, where he was a talented star basketball player whom many called “Skywalker”! He attended Clarendon College after graduating high school.

Growing up, Orlando attended Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he was baptized at a young age under the leadership of Reverend L.L. Gipson. Orlando worked alongside his father and brothers before taking on a supervisory position at Levi Strauss & Company for many years. He spent several years moving to and from Amarillo, and he resided in both Arlington and Houston, Texas in between. He later returned to Amarillo permanently in late June 2023.

“Chop” was a humble man, who enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He cooked with a lot of love, just like his mother Vurnell, and made the best homemade banana pudding, which happened to be everyone’s favorite dish. “Chop” had a genuine, “God-glowing” smile. He was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends where he would be surrounded by a full party of love, that included listening to loud music, dancing, and playing dominoes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Brittany “Cakes” Gilbreath; brothers, James Penns, Jr., Edward Gilbreath, Jr., and Terry Gilbreath, Sr., and sister, La Marra Jean Luster.

Orlando leaves his children, LaToya Morris, Shundrika Morris, Tierra Gilbreath, Orlando Gilbreath, Jr., Myron Gilbreath, Deshawn Miller, and Brianna Miller; grandchildren, Ja’Vion, Ja’Den, and Ja’Lya Hayes, Kor’Davian Johnson, Braylon and Brooklynn Moore, Ti’Meer and Zi’Meer Irabor, J’Tayvien and Ja’Niyah Gilbreath; brother, Maurice Gilbreath; sisters, Dorothy Conict, Pearlie Penns (Mack), Gloria Gilbreath, Beverly Gilbreath, Linda Gilbreath-Perry, Sheila Gilbreath-Lax (Nate), and Gilda “Shan” Gilbreath, all of Amarillo, TX. He was “Uncle Chop” to a host of nieces, nephews, and many others he grew to love, and had a host of cousins and life-long friends. He will be truly missed by man

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