Ronnie G. Gillespie

Ronnie G. Gillespie, age 78, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 after a long battle with chronic kidney disease and heart failure. He was definitely one-of-a-kind in this world; he loved to laugh and joke, no matter what life may have thrown at him at times. His sweet disposition and faith in the Lord served him well all the way til the end.

He was born in Athens, GA on June 27, 1946 and grew up in the Oglethorpe county area. He graduated from high school in 1965 and married the love of his life (from the age of 4), Joan Stewart Gillespie, and then enlisted in the Air Force in February of 1966 and served 10 years. During these years, he studied to become an aircraft mechanic and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant; he went overseas and served in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1976. He then began driving trucks and eventually achieved over 4 million safe driving miles! He was very proud of this achievement. That life led to settling in Dallas, Texas for many years and he considered that his second home. He was also a resident at Quiet Oaks in Crawford during the final season of his life. He and Joan were married for 47 ½ years before she passed away in 2013. 

Ronnie’s hobbies included the God given gift of playing the piano by ear and fishing whenever he had the chance; he also enjoyed air shows, airplanes, baseball and the Georgia Bulldogs!

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan, as well as his parents Grady & Flora Gillespie and siblings Reese Gillespie and Dorothy Ogle.

He is survived by his only child Christina (John) Autry and three wonderful grandchildren, Stephanie, Gillian and Jacob Autry, all of Watkinsville. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Carolyn Gillespie Dudley of Arnoldsville, as well as her family Debbie (Danny) Love, Doyle (Kathy) Gillespie, Perry (Valerie) Gillespie, Travis (Teresa) Gillespie, all with ties to Oglethorpe county. He is also survived by his niece, Brenda Ogle, Winterville, as well as many great nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive visitors at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Lord and Stephens, East. A memorial service will follow at 3:30pm. Inurnment will occur at a later date at Athens Memory Gardens. 

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.

www.lordandstephens.com