Clyde Edward Gillespie

Clyde Edward Gillespie

Clyde Edward Gillespie was born in Spray, Oregon, September 8, 1906, the son of John and Elva Mae Gillespie.

During his early years, Clyde E. Gillespie was a farmer, a rancher and in 1931 he was a salesman for Swift Meat Company. While working in Buhl, Idaho with the Swift Company, he met Marzell Pearl Wilson. Shortly thereafter, they were married under an umbrella tree at the home of Florence and Ray Shay, on the 21st of August 1932.

In 1933,Clyde worked for the U.S. Fish Hatchery in Shoshone Falls, Idaho. In 1933, Clyde and Marzell moved to Castle Ford, Idaho and Clyde worked in the wheat. While there, on the 17th of June 1933 Donna Jean Gillespie was born.

Clyde took an apprenticeship with the Ford Motor Company in Burley in 1934. On June 16, 1935 Buddy Gillespie was born. After finishing his apprenticeship, the Jerome Ford Motor Company asked Clyde to come to work in their auto shop. On January 31, 1938 Robert Caryle Gillespie was born.

Jerome Idaho, 1937

In the 40's Clyde moved his family to Downey, California where he accepted a job as an aircraft mechanic. Here he worked through the 2nd World War.

In 1946, Clyde had a yearning for Idaho, and moved his family back, this time settling in Kimberly, Idaho. The cold weather encouraged him and his family to return to California, or warmer climate. This return placed Clyde and his family in Visalia, California. He took a job with the Ford dealership in 1947 as Shop Forman.

In 1956 Clyde took his savings and opened the Sequoia Body and Paint Shop. During his tenure as owner and manager, he became a reserve officer with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

In 1962, Clyde suffered a heart attack and had to sell his business. He then worked part time as a deputy sheriff. He was semi-retired as well. His 2nd heart attack took his life in September of 1964. He was laid to rest in the Visalia Cemetery.

The 1st born of Clyde and Marzell, Donna Jean was an agile girl, delighting in jumping and running. She could jump her height.

In 1947 Donna contracted Brights' disease and was bed ridden for one year. Having been home schooled, she was skipped one grade upon her return to public school.

Upon graduating from high school, she married Louie Luisi, a rancher in Orosi, California. Louie was drafted into the Korean War shortly after their marriage.

Louie was fatally wounded in 1951 and is buried in the Visalia Cemetery.

Donna Jean Gillespie married Carl Simon on June 19, 1953. At that time, Donna was Clerk of the Court, Municipal Court, Tulare County. Carl was an associate in the family business Simon and Sons Trucking Company.

On the 8th of June 1954, Sherri Lynn Simon was born.

A-plastic Anemia shortened Sherri's life on February 21, 1958. She was laid to rest in the Visalia Cemetery.

Sherri Lyn Simon, 1957

In October of 1963, Donna and Carl adopted Debbie Simon. Presently, Debbie is married to Tom Guilford and they reside in Danville, California. They have a daughter, Jessica (8 years) and a son, Zachary (6 years). Tom is Vice President of Roundtable Pizza, headquartered in San Francisco, California. Debbie graduated from Chico State College with a degree in computer programming. Her first job was with Roundtable Pizza. She is presently a stay at home mom.

On May 2nd, 1965, Donna & Carl adopted Tim Simon. Tim is married and has 2 children - Garrett the oldest (10 years) and Meghan, the youngest (8 years). Tim's wife, Christian is an Occupational Therapist for the state. Tim is a multi-faceted worker, having a number of exciting jobs. Presently, he is a fuel truck distributor in Visalia.

Donna, after retiring from teaching at Redwood High School, became a Counselor for Family Services (Shelter for Battered women and children) where she presently works.

Buddy Gillespie, the 2nd born (June 16, 1935) gave the family many sleepless nights and some rough days. He was the adventurous one, always exploring and finding new places.

Shortly after high school, Buddy was drafted into the Army. After his initial training, he attended Officer's Candidate school in Munich, Germany. He was assigned a position in the Signal Core, Fulda Germany. Here he commanded a patrol unit responsible for guarding the East/West Germany divide. He worked with the English and the French along with the West German Border Units.

He returned home in 1955 and entered California State University @ Fresno. He majored in Education. On September 1, 1956 he married Barbara J. Price. Barbara was also majoring in education, and began teaching second grade upon receiving her degree from the same University. Kevin Gillespie was born in November of 1957, while his dad was still going to school.

After receiving his degree in education, Buddy started teaching in 1960. He also began work on his Master's degree in Counseling and Guidance.

Jane Ann Gillespie was born during Buddy's school career, on April 20, 1961. In 1963, Buddy became a counselor. In 1965 he was appointed Director of Pupil Personnel & Psychological Services for the entire school district.

In 1966, Buddy accepted a position with the Gesell Institute of Child Development, formerly the Yale University Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut. He did a two-year internship under the tutelage of Dr. Frances Ilg, M.D., the Pediatric Director of the Institute. Upon completion of this internship, he was assigned the position as Chief of Clinical Services, a position he held for 16 years.

In 1975, Buddy received an Honorary Doctoral degree from the Institute. In 1980, Buddy accepted a position as Director of the National Institute of Child Development, Madison, Connecticut while Barbara completed her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Kevin graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science. He is now a pilot with US AIR, based in Baltimore, Maryland. He married Jeni Petrucci and they have two daughters - Brittany (4 years) and Alicia (2 years). Jane Gillespie graduated from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California. She flew as a Flight Attendant with United Airlines for eight years. During her 7th year with United, she married Tim Barry, the tennis pro in Malibu. Kristin Barry was born August 8th, 1996. Janie is now a stay-at-home mom.

In 1983, the University of North Texas asked Buddy to join their faculty and help set up a Center for brain research. He accepted the position and he and Barbara moved to Denton, Texas in January 1984. Barbara accepted a position on the Adjunct faculty at University of North Texas, and now she is the Undergraduate Practicum Coordinator for the program area of Development, Family Studies and Early Childhood Education. Buddy holds the rank of Graduate Professor and runs the Maturational Assessment Clinic.

Bobby Caryle Gillespie was born January 31st, 1938. Bobby was the athlete of the family - specializing in basketball. He was 1st string for his high school and throughout his college career.

Bobby joined the Navy after high school. His tour of duty was between Australia and Japan. Upon leaving the Navy, Bobby attended California State University @ Fresno, graduating with a degree in Recreation and Sports Medicine. He accepted a position with the Department of Navy (Civilian) and became Director of Recreational Services, Lemoore Naval Air Station.

While in Lemoore, California, Bobby met and married Kay Hutsell. They have one son, Brandon Gillespie. Brandon and his wife Julie, live in Pollock Pines, California. They have 2 daughters, Kelsey and Jena Gillespie, and one boy, Kellon Gillespie.

In the early 80's, Bobby accepted the challenge from the Naval Center and assumed the position of Director of Recreational Services, Long Beach Naval Center. Here he worked with a large contingent of services, commanding a budget of over six million dollars. Shortly after arriving at Long Beach, the Department of Navy selected Bobby to over see their Mediterranean fleet Headquarters in recreation. He was headquartered in Spain and Italy. Upon completion of this huge task, Bobby returned to Long Beach.

Again, the Department of Navy called upon Bobby to help. This time it was the European program, and Bobby was headquartered in London, England. In January of 1988, bobby suffered a massive heart attack in his European Headquarters office. His body was returned to Visalia where he received military honors at his burial in the Visalia Cemetery. One July 6, 1988, the Department of Navy dedicated the new

Child Care Unit at Long Beach in honor of Bobby. It is now the "Robert C. Gillespie Child Development Center." Through the foundation that bobby established in child development at the Long Beach program, it has been recognized by the Department of Navy as the best in Child Care in the United States.

In recognition of Bobby's service, Marzell Gillespie Hutsell received a letter to honor the memory of Bobby from the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

Marzell Gillespie was married to Clyde Gillespie for 32 years. They survived one national depression, one World War and many house hold moves from Idaho to California – and back.

After Clyde's death, Marzell worked in a hospital for 14 years. Her son, Bobby, introduced her to her 2nd husband, Vernon Hutsell. For years, Marzell and Vern lived at the ranch in Tulare. They moved to town (Visalia) n the early 80's. Vernon passed away in April of 1999. He is buried in the Visalia Cemetery.

Somewhere between California and Idaho, the Clyde E. Gillespie family

Brittany & Alicia’s Great Grandfather