Don Leroy Gillespie

Services for Don Leroy Gillespie, 83, of Whitehouse, will be held Saturday, December 27, 2014, 1:30 p.m., at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Reverend Sherman Mayfield officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Veteran’s section of Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery in Tyler, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Don’s rehabilitation and therapy reached an end Monday afternoon, December 22, 2014, in the presence of his loved ones when the greatest healer of all called him home and his suffering and pain were no more, his paralysis and weakness gone. Imagine his joy when his Lord and Savior led him through the gates of paradise and he breathed in the sweet air of heaven without the crippling effects of COPD, when he could once again walk without assistance and when an arm paralyzed from a stroke reached out to his beautiful bride of 62 years who went before him only months earlier. Don was born January 15, 1931 in Leroy, Kansas to Nelle Cole Gillespie and Lee Ora Gillespie. He enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17 where he served as Quartermaster and Second Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Kenneth D. Bailey and the USS Dashiell. As a veteran of the Korean War, as well as World War II, his most significant duty assignment was FA Comopdevfor and he received the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Europe) and the Good Conduct Medal Second Award. Don was a life member of VFW Post 1799 where he was currently serving as Post Commander, a position he had held for many years. On December 20, 1952, he married the love of his life, Joyce Marie. They had one daughter Cynthia Lee. Shortly after her birth, Don was discharged from the Navy and the couple moved back to Texas where he went to work for Gulf States Telephone Company as an accountant. In the late 1960’s, he went to work for the City of Tyler Water Department. After several years he went to Tyler Savings and Loan Association as Vice President and retired as Executive Vice President of First Southwest Savings and Loan in the early 1990’s. He could often be found tinkering for hours in his shop. He loved working with his hands, whether it was woodworking or building the intricately detailed clocks he loved so much. He was an accomplished artist, loved completing the newspaper crossword puzzles each day with Cindy and would keep everyone chuckling with his constant jokes. Another of his favorite pastimes was shooting pool at the VFW with his friends. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Marie Gillespie, his father, Lee Gillespie, his mother and stepfather, Nelle and Herbert Fichtner, and a host of other loved ones. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Lee Beard and husband James, his granddaughter, Lauri Lee Dillman and his precious great-granddaughter, Elisabeth Marie ‘Lissie’ Malcolm. He also leaves behind the members of James’ family, whom he loved and loved him; his Pomeranian, Missy; and many, many friends. Visitation will be Friday, December 26, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy. in Tyler. If preferred, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22

Don Leroy Gillespie

January 15, 1931 - December 22, 2014