Richard D. Gillespie

Richard D. Gillespie, 87, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2011 under the loving watch of his family at his home in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Gillespie was born January 29, 1924 in Effingham, SC, the son of the late W.B. and Ruth Wilbourne Gillespie, Sr. He attended Davidson College before he was drafted into service in the United States Army during World War II, where he was seriously wounded in action on the German border and received the Purple Heart. After an extended stay in the hospital, he went on to continue his studies at Duke University and then at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

After graduation from Harvard, he relocated to Charlotte to pursue his architectural career at Odell Associates, where he was involved in the designing of the Charlotte Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte Public Library and other projects. Later in his career, he formed his own firm specializing in elegant residential homes and concurrently managed his family's cotton farm in Rowland, NC.

He was loved, admired and respected by many. His contributions to the community were generous and varied. He served as a Deacon at Myers Park Presbyterian Church and was a member of Charlotte Country Club and the Linville Golf Club. Above all, he was a devoted father and husband.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary May Mitchell Gillespie; his son, David Mitchell Gillespie and wife Sinclair Ellett Gillespie; three grandchildren, Richard Tazewell Gillespie, Walker Russell Gillespie and William Harrison Gillespie; niece, Betsy C. Griffith and her husband James H. Griffith, Jr. of Effingham, SC; niece, Jane W. Gillespie of Pamplico, SC; sister-in-law, Fay M. Hand; brother-in-law, Calvin D. Mitchell, Jr. and wife Tanya L. Mitchell; and nephew, William B. Choate, Jr. and wife Alicia V. Choate and their sons, William B. Choate, III and J. Mitchell Choate.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Following the service, the family will receive friends in Providence Hall at the church. There will be a private inurnment at the church's columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207 or the charity of your choice.