Jerry Gillispie

Memorial service for Jerry Gillispie, age 78, of Sulphur Springs, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Eason officiating. Inurnment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Willie Sanchez, Dakota Watts, Jeremey Skaggs, Stetsyn Sanchez, and Megan Watts serving as pallbearers. Mr. Gillispie passed away at Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation in Sulphur Springs on Sunday, July 14, 2024 surrounded by love and his best buddy and granddaughter, Megan.

Jerry Howard Gillispie was born on September 13, 1945 to Howard and Artie Fae (Pool) Gillispie. Jerry grew up in Winnsboro, Texas where he met and married his High School sweetheart, Cynthia Dianne Mark on March 25, 1966. Together they had one daughter, Michelle. Mr. Gillispie started driving a milk truck on routes to Dallas before he even had a license to drive. After moving to Sulphur Springs, he worked for many years for AMPI, now Dairy Farmers of America where he became Transportation Manager. After following their dreams, he and his wife started their own Trucking Company, Jerry H. Gillispie Trucking, where they worked side by side until they eventually added a fertilizer and rock-hauling business to the mix. Jerry was never afraid of hard work, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If he had nothing to do, he was washing or polishing his trucks. Throughout these years, he was a volunteer fireman, an EMT assistant, and an active member of Sulphur Springs React. As he got older, one of his greatest achievements was being a proud member of the Hopkins County Sheriff's Posse. He took great pride in carrying the American flag on his horse during the local parades and other Posse activities. Mr. Gillispie went on to work at Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op and finally retired from Thermo Coal Mine when his wife became severely ill. 

Nothing made him more proud or happy than his first granddaughter, Megan Glover Watts and eventually great-grandbabies, Stetsyn and Maci Sanchez, the absolute loves of his life. When he thought he couldn’t love anymore, along came granddaughters Hannah Skaggs Alford and Mikala Rogers. Now he has two more great grandsons Keith and Dante Alford. Nothing made him happier or prouder than his family.

Jerry worked his whole life to provide anything needed or wanted for them. There was never a time, day or night, if he was needed he didn’t come running. He had a heart of gold and the best example of when life knocks you down you just get up and try it all over again.

Mr. Gillispie was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Artie Fae Gillispie; grandparents, Tolvie and Minnie Bell Gillispie, and Neal and Mary Pool; infant sister, Pamela Sue Gillispie; brother, Ray Gene Adams; special aunt and uncle, Sidney and Pluma Black; and wife, Diane Gillispie.

He is survived by his only daughter, Michelle Skaggs and husband Jeremey of Sulphur Springs; grandchildren, Megan Watts and husband Dakota, Hanna Alford and husband Cort; his mini Megan, Mikala Rogers and Ricky Fuller all of Sulphur Springs; bonus granddaughters, Alexis Myles and Jordan Sanchez; great-grandbabies, Stetsyn and Macelyn Sanchez, Keith and Dante Alford; bonus great-grandsons, Judson and Bjorn Watts; a very special niece, Gina Adams Miller and husband Jon; special cousin, Donnie and wife Sue Pool; lifetime friend, Johnny Pierce; and his “baby girl” and best friend dog, Sukie.