Francis Elvin Gillespie

Francis Elvin Gillespie, 83, passed away on June 20, 2016, at his home in San Jose, California, from complications related to heart disease, COPD, and Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Francis was born on March 20, 1933, in Golddust, Louisiana to Joshua J. Gillespie and Ethel J. Lee.

Francis grew up in DeQuincy, Louisiana, and attended Rosenwald High School in DeQuincy. He completed his High School General Educational Development tests and was awarded the State High School Equivalency Diploma from Grand Avenue High School, also in DeQuincy.

Francis served honorably in the United States Air Force from August 1947 until August 1969, and retired as a Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. It is fun to note that Francis, his brother, Joshua, and their friend, Houston Allen, enlisted in the United States Army Air Force together on August 13, 1947. All three of them were under age! Seymour Pulliam, a family friend and Railroad Engineer, rode the train all the way to New Orleans to attempt to talk them out of joining the military. The three youngsters completed Basic Training together. Francis and Joshua served together approximately seven years in what became the United States Air Force.

Francis met and courted, Sandra Lucille Howlett. Francis and Sandra married on March 30, 1958, and during this union, they had two sons, Michael Alan Gillespie and Phillip Kevin Gillespie.

Francis continued his educational and technical pursuits by attending East Carolina College; University of Maryland Extension; UCLA Extension in Seoul, Korea; Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas; U.S. Air Force Technical Schools; Fresno City College in Fresno, California; Cleveland Institute of Electronics, and San Jose City College in San Jose, CA.

His overseas service included 18 months in Korea during the Korean War, where he was a member of the 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron, with duties as Supply Sergeant. He also served tour duties for two-and-a-half years in France in the 388th Fighter Bomber Wing, and three years in England in the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing. Francis’ last duty assignment was at Detachment 1 in the 456th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Fresno, California.

After retiring from the United States Air Force, Francis, along with his wife, Sandra, and their sons, Michael and Phillip, settled and made their home in San Jose, California, where he began a 25-year career with Hewlett-Packard Company. While at Hewlett Packard, Francis worked as an Electronics Technician, Electronics Maintenance Supervisor, and Information Technology Specialist.

Before and after retiring, Francis enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, playing cards, cooking, and traveling. He especially enjoyed road trips! If he had a choice between driving or flying, he would choose driving every time. After his sons relocated out of state, he enjoyed many road trips to Arizona to visit his grandson, Sean Gillespie.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Joshua and Ethel; his Brother, Joshua Gillespie, Jr.; and his Sister, Velma Jenkins. Francis is survived by his spouse of 58 years, Sandra Gillespie of San Jose, California; sons, Michael Gillespie of Seattle, Washington and Phillip Gillespie (Beverly) of Goodyear, Arizona; Brother, Allen Gillespie of Petersburg, Virginia; Sisters, Sallie Newman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Janie Bradley (Hansel) of Chicago, Illinois; and Bettie Betts of Chicago, Illinois; Grandson, Sean Gillespie of Goodyear Arizona; and a host of nieces and nephews.