Joseph Gillespie

GILLESPIE, Joseph Clay age 91 of Nashville, November 24, 2012Age: 91Preceded in death by the mother of his children, Dorothy Louise Meador; survived by the mother to his children, Dorothy Blaine Lane. Children: Robin Meredith Haller (John); Joseph C. Gillespie, Jr.; John Patrick Gillespie; Susan Dale Gillespie (David Grove); Meredith Fox (Cary); Margaret (Betsy) Ott (Richard); Timothy Graham Gillespie (Anita); Thomas Andrew Gillespie.Grandchildren: Peter and Jonathan Haller; Bryton and Amelia Gillespie; David and Leah Fox; Keren Ott Longshore (Cameron) and Elizabeth (Libby) Ott; Graham and Zachery Gillespie; great-grandson Cameron (C.T.) Longshore. A graduate of Charleston High School, Charleston, West Virginia in 1939, he was employed as a clerk and bank bookkeeper prior to entering the army as a private in 1942. Veteran of WWII, he was an administrative staff sergeant; commissioned second lieutenant in 1944. He served as a medical registrar, Mason General Hospital, N.Y., until relieved from active duty in March, 1946. From active duty and reserve service, he retired as captain, Medical Service Corps in 1981. He began his career with the Veterans Administration in 1946 at Atlanta, Georgia. He held positions in medical and hospital administration in progressive assignments, coming to the directorship of the Nashville VA Hospital in October, 1974 from a similar position in Montgomery, Alabama. At his retirement in 1981, he received the VA’s Distinguished Career Award. Active in community affairs as well as state and regional health planning programs, he has served on the Nashville area American Red Cross board; Senior Citizens, Inc. board; member of the United Way board and chair of the Government Division of the 1981 campaign drive; board member and vice-chair of the Tennessee State Veterans Home Board for three consecutive terms; member and trustee of Post 5, the American Legion; received the Leon Gilbert Award for Community Service. He has held membership in several professional societies, including Member, American College of Hospital Administrators, and academic appointments as former Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Administration, Vanderbilt University Medical School, member of the Graduate School faculty, University of Alabama, Birmingham; Georgia State University, Atlanta; Trinity University, San Antonio; Washington University, St. Louis. He was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States of America. He was a member of the Belle Meade United Methodist Church. Funeral service will be conducted twelve noon on Tuesday November 27, 2012 at Belle Meade United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Gldemeister officiating. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family two hours prior to the service. Private placement to take place in Maryville, TN.