Oscar H. Gillespie

Obituary

Oscar Hamilton Gillespie was born March 24, 1947, in Grant Town, West Virginia. His childhood was filled with the endless pursuit of fun-filled mischief growing up with three brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles among the green rolling hills and woodlands. Seeking a life other than coal-mining, he ventured to Georgia after high school and followed in the footsteps of his older brother Charles by joining the military. On the way, he found himself managing a donut shop along with the mother of his wife-to-be Susan.

Oscar and Susan were married July 12, 1966—the same week she graduated high school—and began their life together in Colorado Springs at Oscar’s first assignment at Ent Air Force Base. The Vietnam War interrupted their lives when Oscar was called to serve at Da Nang Air Force Base, Vietnam. Oscar returned to the states with war injuries, and the young couple lived in Columbus, Georgia, where they began their family with the birth of their three children.

Oscar served in the Boy Scout Council in Georgia, and after the family moved back to Colorado, he served at the Pikes Peak Boy Scout Council, eventually becoming District Executive of the High Plains District. He went on to become the leader of the Explorer Cadet Program at the Tri-Lakes Fire Department and later President of the Board.  Failing health resulting from his war injuries demanded that Oscar lighten his work schedule, and he became a volunteer for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a Victim’s Advocate. Being a weapons expert, he was asked to teach firearm safety with the Division of Wildlife.

Wherever the good Lord placed Oscar, he always made a multitude of life-long friends and enhanced the lives of those around him. He had a way of making people laugh, and you could tell by the mischievous twinkle in his eye that he was cooking up some silly scheme. Loved by all, his departure has left a hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Susan Gillespie, son Shawn, daughter Dawn and son-in-law Dan, son Troy and daughter-in-law Kristin, grandson Taylor and his wife Danielle, granddaughter Reilly and her husband Jared, grandsons Tallyn and Kaiden and their mother Kelly, and grandsons Travis, Dillon, and Chris Lowe; brother Richard Gillespie and wife Fran, and Aunt Reva Warnick. He leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins . He was preceded in death by his parents Ruby Gillespie and Clarence Gillespie, and his brothers Charles Gillespie and Burton Gillespie.