Thomas R. Gillespie, Jr.

Thomas R. Gillespie, Jr., age 77, died Saturday, March 30, 2019, in rural Baca County, Colorado. He was born February 18, 1942, in Elkhart, Kansas, the son of Thomas R. Sr. and Margarett M. (Riley) Gillespie.

Tom grew up in Elkhart and graduated from Elkhart High School in 1960. He was honorably discharged after serving three years in the United States Air Force. Tom moved back to Elkhart and married Cynthia L. Rutledge on August 23, 1969, in Seymour, Missouri. Tom worked for the City of Elkhart for 53 years, retiring as the Sanitation Supervisor. He was initiated on September 23, 1997, into the Hugoton Masonic Lodge #406 and served as past Master and was currently the Grand Sentinel for the Grand York Rite. Tom was a major supporter of the kids Masonic Band Camp and Shriners Hospital for Children. Tom was also a member of Order of the Eastern Star since 2011, lifetime member of the NRA, loved old guns, making homemade ice cream, leather work, and was interested in geneology.

Survivors include his son, Thomas R. Gillespie of Elkhart; daughters, Rebecca Walker of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Iris Scruggs of Elkhart; sister, Dorothy Horton of Elkhart; and four grandchildren.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Cindy in 2010.

Funeral service will be held Friday, April 5, 2019, at 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Shella Choi and Pastor Bruce Ferguson officiating. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery with Masonic rites and Military rites by VFW Point Rock Post #3162. Visitation will be Thursday, April 4, 2019 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorials may be given to Shriners Hospitals for Children or Elkhart Senior Center in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.