Vernon Walter Gillespie, Jr. was born June 23, 1933 in Hollywood, CA and passed January 3, 2017 in Alexandria, VA. Mr. Gillespie was married to Shirley Grace Gillespie, who passed September 9, 2010. Vernon and Shirley enjoyed a 56-year love affair. LTC. (Ret) Gillespie served in the U.S. Army, enlisting in 1953 and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1992. Vernon was a Soldier’s Soldier. His career spanned from Vietnam to Desert Storm. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, 3 Clusters and Bronze Star 3 Clusters.
Vernon and Shirley are survived by their three children and their families. Richard L. and wife Jacque, Duncan, OK, Stuart W. and wife Kate, Jersey City, NJ and Heather Ann Rice and husband James of Myrtle Beach, SC. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Heath Gillespie, Tyler Gillespie, Ariel Gillespie, Haylee Brown and Christopher Rice.
Vernon is also survived by two brothers and one sister, Bill Gillespie and wife Helen, OKC, OK, and Bob Gillespie and wife Sondra, Houston, TX and Shirley Mathews, OKC, OK. Also to include a nephew and nieces. Vernon and Shirley shared many wonderful lifelong friends throughout his military career.
Burial services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on March 14, 2017, at 9am.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to one of the following organizations:
Green Beret Foundation
http://www.greenberetfoundation.org/
The Army Historical Foundation
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18