James Harding Gillespie 1921-2009 Jim was one of fourteen children born to Robert L. and Senora Gregory Gillespie, March 27, 1921, in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Of the nine boys, he was the last man standing, two of his five sisters survive, Clide Bardwell of Memphis TN and Susie Smith of Gretna, LA. He passed away on a day that the Lord had made, May 13, 2009. He was 88-years old. At a young age, Jim moved to Ogden in 1942 to serve with the U.S. Army Air Corp (USAC). He was a veteran of World War Il. With the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains in the east and a sunset over the Great Salt Lake in the west, he remained in Ogden. He worked as a civilian at the Defense Depot Ogden (DDO) fulfilling 42 years of federal service including his tour of duty with the USAC. His final position at DDO was Equal Employment Opportunity Manager and as a collateral duty, he was the Blood Donation Coordinator for the American Red Cross. He freely carried a visually impaired man to work everyday. Jim attended public school in Starkville and Weber State University in Ogden. He was married to Marquita Bradshaw (deceased) and four children were born to this union, Ina Raye, James Jr. (Antonia), Robert (Janet) and Russell (deceased). In March of 1957, Jim married Bettye Berliner Johnson and this year they celebrated their 52" anniversary. Their three daughters are Shauna (Matthew), Deon and Kendall. Grandchildren include Robin (Mike), Erin, Robby, Missy, Jamii (Kelly), Adrienne, John, Emmett (Marissa), and Calise. There are also ten great-grandchildren, one great, great-grandchild and nine step great-grandchildren. Civil rights and community service had always been his passion. He was president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at DDO, Commander of American Legion Post 66 and Chairman of the West Coast Region of NAACP. A life member of NAACP, he served as president of the Ogden Branch for 33 years and upon retirement was proclaimed President Emeritus of the Ogden Branch. Jim’s dedication and involvement also includes serving as a charter member of the Ogden Area Community Action Agency Board, charter member of the Governor’s Black Advisory Council, KUED and KTVX Community Boards, the Private Industry Council, Utah Coalition of Resources, EEO Council of Utah, and Mountain States Coalition Against Malicious Harassment. His many awards and honors include Community Service Awards from the Clearfield and Weber Basin Job Corps Centers, Black Scholars United of Weber State University, Ogden Area Head Start and Marshall White Community Center, Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year, Meritorious Service Award for Heroic Act-DDO, Sustained Superior Performance award-DDO, Distinguished Community College Service from the Black Scholars United of Weber State University, Western Region NAACP Challenge Award, Governor’s Beehive Award (Martin Luther King, Jr. Award), for Distinguished Service, Department of Justice Special Appreciation Award, Centennial Community Service Award-Governor’s Office of Black Affairs and appreciate awards from the Ogden Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and from the Utah Minority Bar Association. October 5, 1996 was proclaimed by then Mayor Glenn Mecham, “James Harding Gillespie Day.” After retirement Jim created the most picturesque flower and vegetable garden that one could ever imagine. From apples to zucchini, you name it, he grew it and most of his fruits and vegetables were given to an Organization called Share the Harvest-Utahns Against Hunger. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, three sisters, a half-brother, half sister and a son. In addition to his wife, surviving children and grandchildren, he leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews and friends. The Gillespie-Gregory Family acknowledges with sincere appreciation the compassionate and gentle care provided by Nurse Sharon and Chaplain Phil and the Vista Care group, Jenna, Dominique and Cheree and the Legacy House community, relatives, friends, neighbors and kind strangers. May the Lord shed his magnificent grace over you all.