Donald Alan Gillaspie

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Christ the King Church, 1082 Amelia Church Rd. Clayton, North Carolina, with Pastor Matt Evans officiating. The family will receive friends, at the church, at 10:00 am; the memorial service will begin at 11:00 am.

Don was born in Westchester, New York on March 8, 1958 to the late Rybern Steen Gillaspie and the late Marylyn Driebusch Gillaspie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Steven Gillaspie. Don was a Veteran of the United States Navy and worked as a computer integration specialist for 30 years. He retired from State Government in 2020.

He enjoyed running and ran many marathons. Don’s goal was to qualify to run the Boston Marathon, which he did, and ran the Boston Marathon in 2008. You would see Don, out on the Greenway in Clayton with his running buddies, three days a week. Don’s passion was volunteer work, which he volunteered his time each week, at “With Love from Jesus,” in Raleigh. He did this for many years. After retirement, his plan was to spend more time at WLFJ, but God had other plans. Prior to his cancer diagnosis in August 2021, he was able to spend some quality time with his daughter in Florida. Don enjoyed motorcycle riding and was a rider for over 45 years. He was in awe of the beauty of God’s creation and sights of nature. He was able to do some traveling in his RV, to the Grand Canyon and other sites along the way, with his wife Sandy. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and outdoors, where he spent hours taking care of the yard, vegetable garden and grape yard. Each opportunity Don would find, he would spread his Love for the Lord. His faithfulness was known to all.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sandra Gillaspie; daughter: Bridget Houghton (Aaron); step-children: Brian Hardee (Rose), Bradley Hardee (Mischa), and Melissa Hardee (Jeremy Soles); grandchildren: Sean Lewis, Brandon Hardee, Eleanor Hardee, Isadora Hardee, and Maverick Hardee; brothers: Gordon Gillaspie (Betty), Robert Gillaspie (Evelyn), Kenneth Gillaspie (Diane), and Edward Gillaspie.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com

Memorials may be made in Don’s memory to Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu

McLaurin Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.