GEORGE MAC ARTHUR GILLISPIE passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 7th, 2018 at the Villas at City Center in Warren. He was born on April 19th, 1942 in Arnett, West Virginia in Raleigh County to the late Charles Creed and Annis Leona (Lawrence) Gillispie. George grew up in Verner, West Virginia and several other cities as well. His father worked in the coal mines and the family moved as work demanded. He received his GED while in the service of the Army. He was last stationed at Fort Hood Texas, where he provided field maintenance to self-propelled, howitzers (turret), M108 & M109. In 1965, he married a local girl from across the river in Verner, West Virginia, Sarah Dye. They traveled north to Michigan and he found work as a relief man at Pontiac Motors and worked there for over thirty years and then retired. They were blessed with three children. Tragedy struck in 1983 and Sarah passed away.
He found happiness after the pain when he married his soul mate Susan (Peterson) Rogers in 1985. She brought one child to the union, her daughter Julie. George and Sue enjoyed their golden years together and on June 14, 2018 they would have been celebrating their thirty-third wedding anniversary. George and Sue pursued a close relationship with God and were active in their local church. For many years on the morning of Sunday service, George stood at the main door greeting and welcoming friends and visitors into fellowship. He also fulfilled the roles of deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and van driver during his tenure there. He had a passion for woodworking and shared that with his dear friends, Robert Tilburt, and Willie Funk. Together they made the pulpit that stands in his church today. His hearts desire after he retired was to build wood swings and gift them to nursing homes for their residents to enjoy. The first completed swing was given to the residence where a close family friend, Natalie Moeller, resided at. The license plate on his truck read “do 4 now”. He would often smile and say that he would “dofer” now. I respectfully contest that and would like to say that he would “dofer” anyone. If a ramp was needed for a friend or family, he would do it. If a plumbing situation arose and the cost prohibited professional hire, he’d “dofer” that to. Car repairs, deck building, nothing was too small or too great that George would turn down the opportunity to help out someone in need. He was a gentle man with a peaceful spirit who smiled often. He prefaced his commitments with the words “God willing” because he knew that life contained unexpected moments and ultimately it was up to God to decide what would happen next. He often replied when asked how he was, “I am better than I deserve and praise the Lord for it”. He was content in his life and provided a living example of Christ’s transforming power. He found redemption in the cross and devoted his life to serving God and providing shelter and love to his family.
He will be sorely missed by his wife Sue, his son George, his daughter Beverly, and his stepdaughter Julie (Brian) Ball. His grandchildren include; Jacob and Brandon Gillispie (George), Summer and James Corey (Beverly), Emily and Connor Ball (Julie). His great-grand children include; David and Matthew (Jacob). His siblings that will continue to tell of their adventures together from now on include Icie (William) Gritzinger, Opal (Louie) Grimmett, and Lois (Clay) Browning. He is survived by nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews as well and a host of long-time friends.
George is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Annis Gillispie, his son Twin Boy #1, as well as his five of his siblings, Rosbud Francis Young, Betty Irene McGuire, Nona Christine Rogers, Charles Chester Gillispie and Michael Clifford Gillispie.
A life well lived. We will be celebrating the life of George MacArthur Gillispie at 11:00 AM, June 16th, 2018. Join us for a luncheon to share stories and remember a life that was lived to the fullest. The Celebration of Life service and luncheon will be held at:
CrossRoads Community Church (fka. Mammoth Baptist Church)
2690 Auburn Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317
www.mammothbaptist.org
The luncheon will be held immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made in George’s name to CrossRoads Community Church to help with community outreach programs.
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