LAKEPORT – Lakeport's city manager is recovering following back surgery to repair damaged disks as the result of a fall late last year.

Jerry Gillham underwent surgery recently for three herniated disks, interim City Manager Kevin Burke told the Lakeport City Council at its Tuesday meeting. He's due to have another surgery on his back soon.

The 53-year-old Gillham, a member of the Oregon National Guard, was deployed to Iraq for the second time last summer. But he was sent back to the US in November after suffering a transient ischemic attack – or a TIA, as Lake County News has reported.

The Oregon National Guard has confirmed to Lake County News that the injury was noncombat-related.

Gillham fell a few days after the TIA, which caused him to herniate the disks, according to Burke. He was treated in Iraq and Europe before being transported to a hospital at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Burke told the council Tuesday that the military won't discharge Gillham to come home and return to work until he is fully recovered.

The Lakeport Main Street Association put out a newsletter which included an article on Gillham's injury and questioning if Gillham was returning to Lakeport. Mayor Ron Bertsch had the newsletter with him at the meeting and asked Burke about the accuracy of the report.

Burke said Gillham has indicated he is returning to his job in Lakeport.

“He's pretty optimistic and pretty intent on coming back in August,” said Burke.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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