Jeff Gillespie

Jeff Gillespie, 73 passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Atlanta, GA to Curtis Lambert and Betty Jo Harp Gillespie. Jeff was a graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School, Class of 1968, and attended Georgia State University prior to joining the U.S. Army. He was attached to a Green Beret intelligence unit while in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1971.

Soon after, he moved to Florence, AL where he met and married his wife of 46 years, Jane Marie Graves. There, he attended the University of North Alabama and graduated cum laud with Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in Biology. His professional career of 30+ years was spent with the Department of Interior – Office of Surface Mining.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jane; son Destin Gillespie and wife Casey of Birmingham; mother-in-law, Margie Burleson; sister-in-law, Jenna Rutledge and husband, Tony, all of Sheffield, AL; brother-in-law Duane Graves and wife, Jane of St. Petersburg, FL; sister-in-law, Dot Gillespie of Hoschton, GA; mother-in-law, Nancy Graves of Atlanta, GA; numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews, all who were very precious to him.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles David Gillespie; his father-in-law, Jack L. Graves, Sr., brother-in-law, Jack L. Graves, Jr. and father-in-law, J.O. Burleson. Memorial services will be held Monday August 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Kilgroe Funeral Home – Leeds with burial at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo at 2:00 PM on Monday. Visitation will be Monday August 14, 2023 from 10-11 at Kilgroe Funeral Home - Leeds.

Jeff lived a life of service: to his country, his community and his family. He was a loving son, father and husband, and a life-long student of history, philosophy, religion and science.

In lieu of flowers, please, consider a donation to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, either online at aftd.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/ or by mail at AFTD, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA Or, to The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the UAB, WTI 120, 1720 2nd Avenue, South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3300.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kilgroefuneralhome.com for the Gillespie family.