Eddie Gillespie

Eddie Gillespie was born January 25, 1945 to the late John C. Gillespie and Leola (Chapman) Gillespie in St Louis, Missouri. Eddie voluntarily served in the U. S. Army from 1963 to 1966. He attended Basic Training and AIT Training in Fort Ord, CA; Jump School in Fort Benning, GA. He was stationed in Fort Campbell, KY where he a member of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles and completed about 18 jumps. After leaving the Army, he worked various job until landing a job with the U. S. Postal Service as a Clerk at the Park Hill Station in Denver, Colorado. He later became the Station Manager of the Montbello Station (Denver, CO). In 1982, he was asked to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico for one (1) year to troubleshoot numerous stations. He did such an outstanding job that he was asked to remain in Albuquerque. He also managed the Broadway and Manzano Post Offices. He was the 1st Station Manager of the Graceland Post Office. When he retired from the Postal Service in 1992 at the age of 47, he was a Level 22 and the highest ranking Black Postal Manager in the State of New Mexico.

 After retirement, he attended classes in accounting, started working as a Contractor at Big Crow at Kirtland AFB, took on several remodeling jobs and did carpentry work. He was a member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ where he served as a Trustee, was over The Boys to Men ministry, helped with the sound booth system team, did a lot of remodeling at Faith Temple and worked on the Church maintenance team. Eddie loved all genres of music and loved to sing his own lyrics. Some of his favorites were Sam Cooke, Bobby Blue Bland, The Williams Brother, The Temptations and The Canton Spirituals, to name a few. 

He was an avid fisherman, bowler camper and hunter and became an excellent carpenter and builder. He was a member of American Legion Post 95. He loved learning new things, working crossword puzzles, playing Spades and was a Master at Dominos (he said), Backgammon and loved an occasional game of Chest. His favorite football team was the Kansas City Chiefs fan, which he faithfully followed!

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leola Gillespie and his Grandson, Emon Gillespie and best friend, Lymon Sneed Sr.

Eddie’s leaves to cherish his memories, his ex-wife of 33 years, Lanthia Miles; Son, Ahmet (Diana) Gillespie; Daughter, Chanel Gillespie; Daughter, Kimberley Gillespie; Daughter, Tamesha Gillespie; Brother, Johnnie (Stephanie) Gillespie; Sister, Jonevette Gillespie Frost; Nieces – Sonya Gillespie, Mary Ann Miles and Kiara Patterson; Nephew – Christopher Gillespie and Aunt Grace Chapman Eliche.Grandchildren: Bianca Jenkins; Ja’Karl Jenkins; Avondre Jackson; Keisean Parker; Dyma’Neja Johns, Ahsaunti Gillespie, Amari Gillespie, Miaujah Gillespie, Kiandryia Thomas, O’Shae Hicks, Donavin Berry, Ky’Mauni Warren, Trey Bookhart, Breyonna Marshall and Brittney Wilson; Eighteen (18) Great Grandchildren; Special friends Nate Newbins, Lonnie Hodge, Donte Hicks and Philo Ramirez; a host of cousins, family and friends.