James Harding Gillespie

James Harding Gillespie

OGDEN - Jim was one of fourteen children born to Robert L. and Senora Gregory Gillespie, March 27, 1921, in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Of the nine boys, he was the last man standing, two of his five sisters survive, Clide Bardwell of Memphis TN and Susie Smith of Gretna, LA. He passed away on a day that the Lord had made, May 13, 2009. He was 88-years old.

At a young age, Jim moved to Ogden in 1942 to serve with the U.S. Army Air Corp (USAC). He was a veteran of World War II.

With the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains in the east and a sunset over the Great Salt Lake in the west, he remained in Ogden. He worked as a civilian at the Defense Depot Ogden (DDO) fulfilling 42 years of federal service including his tour of duty with the USAC. His final position at DDO was Equal Employment Opportunity Manager and as a collateral duty, he was the Blood Donation Coordinator for the American Red Cross. He freely carried a visually impaired man to work everyday.

Jim attended public school in Starkville and Weber State University in Ogden. He was married to Marquita Bradshaw (deceased) and four children were born to this union, Ina Raye, James Jr. (Antonia), Robert (Janet) and Russell (deceased).

In March of 1957, Jim married Bettye Berliner Johnson and this year they celebrated their 52nd anniversary. Their three daughters are Shauna (Matthew), Deon and Kendall. Grandchildren include Robin (Mike), Erin, Robby, Missy, Jamii (Kelly), Adrienne, John, Emmett (Marissa), and Calise. There are also ten great-grandchildren, one great, great-grandchild and nine step great-grandchildren.

Civil rights and community service had always been his passion. He was president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at DDO, Commander of American Legion Post 66 and Chairman of the West Coast Region of NAACP.

A life member of NAACP, he served as president of the Ogden Branch for 33 years and upon retirement was proclaimed President Emeritus of the Ogden Branch.

JimAAA 1/2s dedication and involvement also includes serving as a charter member of the Ogden Area Community Action Agency Board, charter member of the GovernorAAA 1/2s Black Advisory Council, KUED and KTVX Community Boards, the Private Industry Council, Utah Coalition of Resources, EEO Council of Utah, and Mountain States Coalition Against Malicious Harassment. His many awards and honors include Community Service Awards from the Clearfield and Weber Basin Job Corps Centers, Black Scholars United of Weber State University, Ogden Area Head Start and Marshall White Community Center, Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year, Meritorious Service Award for Heroic Act-DDO, Sustained Superior Performance award-DDO, Distinguished Community College Service from the Black Scholars United of Weber State University, Western Region NAACP Challenge Award, GovernorAAA 1/2s Beehive Award (Martin Luther King, Jr. Award), for Distinguished Service, Department of Justice Special Appreciation Award, Centennial Community Service Award-GovernorAAA 1/2s Office of Black Affairs and appreciation awards from the Ogden Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and from the Utah Minority Bar Association.

October 5, 1996 was proclaimed by then Mayor Glenn Mecham, AAA 1/2James Harding Gillespie Day.AAA 1/2

After retirement Jim created the most picturesque flower and vegetable garden that one could ever imagine. From apples to zucchini, you name it, he grew it and most of his fruits and vegetables were given to an organization called Share the Harvest-Utahns Against Hunger.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, three sisters, a half-brother, half sister and a son. In addition to his wife, surviving children and grandchildren, he leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

The Gillespie-Gregory Family acknowledges with sincere appreciation the compassionate and gentle care provided by Nurse Sharon and Chaplain Phil and the Vista Care group, Jenna, Dominique and Cheree and the Legacy House community, relatives, friends and kind strangers.

May the Lord shed his magnificent grace over you all.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., in Ogden. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
May 19, 2009
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceMyers Mortuary - Ogden
1875 Monroe Blvd
Ogden, Utah 84401
May 20, 2009
11:00 AM
CemeteryMemorial Gardens of the Wasatch
1718 Combe Rd
Ogden, UT 84403
May 20, 2009