John Jacob Gillespie
August 27, 1920 ~ February 20, 2016
John Jacob Gillespie was born in Eugene on August 27, 1920 to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. He was their youngest child, joining sisters Gladys and Alice on the family's farm in northeast Eugene. He died peacefully on February 20, 2016 in Lane County at the age of 95½.
A fourth-generation Eugenean, John Gillespie was the last surviving great-grandson of pioneer, Rev. Jacob Gillespie, who captained a wagon train from Missouri to Eugene in 1852. Rev. Gillespie brought with him on the journey, his six daughters and his 5-year-old only son, Marcellus. Settling near what is now Valley River Center, Rev. Gillespie established the first church in Eugene in early 1853, the Cumberland (now Central) Presbyterian Church. He also served as Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government.
John's grandfather Marcellus and father Jake both farmed near what is now Gilham Elementary School. This land had originally been purchased by Marcellus Gillespie in 1865. A small portion of that acreage is still in Gillespie ownership to this day. John's mother, Myrtle, was descended from the pioneering Corum family of Eugene. At a time when married women rarely held jobs outside of their homes, she was not only a farming wife, but a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. John and his sisters all helped on the farm while attending school.
In 1939, John was introduced by one of his cousins to a 16-year-old dark-haired beauty by the name of Connie, who he courted by leaving baskets of peaches on her family's doorstep on Taylor Street in Eugene. A couple of years after graduating from Eugene High School, John and two of his friends moved to California and took jobs at Lockheed Corp. On Sept. 2, 1941 in Los Angeles, John married the love of his life, Constance Anita Blaine. He was 21 and she was not yet 18.
After December 7, 1941, John continued for a time working at Lockheed, helping to assemble P-38 Lightning fighter planes for the U.S. Army's war effort. In June of 1944, when Connie was expecting their first child, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, Second Division. He served in the South Pacific.
In August of 1945 John's division was scheduled to participate in what was expected to be a formidable land invasion of Japan. He was not alone in feeling that President Harry S Truman had saved his life by authorizing the use of the atom bomb. Instead, John's division helped in securing the surrender in Nagasaki two weeks after that city was bombed. Like many WWII veterans, John was proud of his service to his country but rarely spoke about his experiences during the war.
After returning from his military service in May of 1946, John went to work for a fellow WWII veteran at A.B. Scarlett GMC Trucks, working his way up to sales manager. John Scarlett and John Gillespie maintained a lifelong friendship. In 1969, John & Connie formed a partnership with his sister Gladys Perry & her husband Brooks. The two couples bought and operated Mac's Battery & Filter Service at 1330 6th Ave. in Eugene. The Perrys retired in 1973 and John & Connie became the sole owners. They sold Mac's and retired in 1981.
In retirement, John was noted for being a fruit orchardist, especially for his peach trees. He was a prolific gardener and home wine maker, always sharing his bounty with others. His interest in woodworking began in his high school shop class and remained with him throughout his life. His marvelous woodworking skill was reflected in great artistry and resulted in many heirlooms. John took pleasure in traveling, both in the U.S. in his and Connie's RV, and taking trips to Ireland, Scotland and England. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting, but most of all, spending time with family and friends. John was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 357 and a past member of Shadow Hills Country Club.
A man of very few words, John took great pride in being a good provider for his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife and he was cherished by his sons. He was proud of his oldest son's Army career and when his youngest son became an attorney, John humorously put a bumper sticker on his vehicle that read, "My lawyer can beat your lawyer."
John and Connie were married for 74½ years and would have celebrated their diamond anniversary on September 2, 2016. A gentleman, he was noted for never leaving the dinner table without first thanking the cook.
John was survived by his wife Connie; two sons and their wives; three grandsons; a foster grandson; by 8 great-grandchildren; four nieces and by one nephew, all of whom loved him dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents; both of his sisters and their spouses, Gladys and E. Brooks Perry; and Alice and Leland Blair. He was buried next to his parents in Gillespie Pioneer Cemetery.
John is dearly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him. He enriched the lives of everyone he met. His was a long life well-lived.
August 27, 1920 ~ February 20, 2016
John Jacob Gillespie was born in Eugene on August 27, 1920 to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. He was their youngest child, joining sisters Gladys and Alice on the family's farm in northeast Eugene. He died peacefully on February 20, 2016 in Lane County at the age of 95½.
A fourth-generation Eugenean, John Gillespie was the last surviving great-grandson of pioneer, Rev. Jacob Gillespie, who captained a wagon train from Missouri to Eugene in 1852. Rev. Gillespie brought with him on the journey, his six daughters and his 5-year-old only son, Marcellus. Settling near what is now Valley River Center, Rev. Gillespie established the first church in Eugene in early 1853, the Cumberland (now Central) Presbyterian Church. He also served as Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government.
John's grandfather Marcellus and father Jake both farmed near what is now Gilham Elementary School. This land had originally been purchased by Marcellus Gillespie in 1865. A small portion of that acreage is still in Gillespie ownership to this day. John's mother, Myrtle, was descended from the pioneering Corum family of Eugene. At a time when married women rarely held jobs outside of their homes, she was not only a farming wife, but a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. John and his sisters all helped on the farm while attending school.
In 1939, John was introduced by one of his cousins to a 16-year-old dark-haired beauty by the name of Connie, who he courted by leaving baskets of peaches on her family's doorstep on Taylor Street in Eugene. A couple of years after graduating from Eugene High School, John and two of his friends moved to California and took jobs at Lockheed Corp. On Sept. 2, 1941 in Los Angeles, John married the love of his life, Constance Anita Blaine. He was 21 and she was not yet 18.
After December 7, 1941, John continued for a time working at Lockheed, helping to assemble P-38 Lightning fighter planes for the U.S. Army's war effort. In June of 1944, when Connie was expecting their first child, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, Second Division. He served in the South Pacific.
In August of 1945 John's division was scheduled to participate in what was expected to be a formidable land invasion of Japan. He was not alone in feeling that President Harry S Truman had saved his life by authorizing the use of the atom bomb. Instead, John's division helped in securing the surrender in Nagasaki two weeks after that city was bombed. Like many WWII veterans, John was proud of his service to his country but rarely spoke about his experiences during the war.
After returning from his military service in May of 1946, John went to work for a fellow WWII veteran at A.B. Scarlett GMC Trucks, working his way up to sales manager. John Scarlett and John Gillespie maintained a lifelong friendship. In 1969, John & Connie formed a partnership with his sister Gladys Perry & her husband Brooks. The two couples bought and operated Mac's Battery & Filter Service at 1330 6th Ave. in Eugene. The Perrys retired in 1973 and John & Connie became the sole owners. They sold Mac's and retired in 1981.
In retirement, John was noted for being a fruit orchardist, especially for his peach trees. He was a prolific gardener and home wine maker, always sharing his bounty with others. His interest in woodworking began in his high school shop class and remained with him throughout his life. His marvelous woodworking skill was reflected in great artistry and resulted in many heirlooms. John took pleasure in traveling, both in the U.S. in his and Connie's RV, and taking trips to Ireland, Scotland and England. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting, but most of all, spending time with family and friends. John was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 357 and a past member of Shadow Hills Country Club.
A man of very few words, John took great pride in being a good provider for his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife and he was cherished by his sons. He was proud of his oldest son's Army career and when his youngest son became an attorney, John humorously put a bumper sticker on his vehicle that read, "My lawyer can beat your lawyer."
John and Connie were married for 74½ years and would have celebrated their diamond anniversary on September 2, 2016. A gentleman, he was noted for never leaving the dinner table without first thanking the cook.
John was survived by his wife Connie; two sons and their wives; three grandsons; a foster grandson; by 8 great-grandchildren; four nieces and by one nephew, all of whom loved him dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents; both of his sisters and their spouses, Gladys and E. Brooks Perry; and Alice and Leland Blair. He was buried next to his parents in Gillespie Pioneer Cemetery.
John is dearly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him. He enriched the lives of everyone he met. His was a long life well-lived.
John Jacob Gillespie
August 27, 1920 ~ February 20, 2016
John Jacob Gillespie was born in Eugene on August 27, 1920 to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. He was their youngest child, joining sisters Gladys and Alice on the family's farm in northeast Eugene. He died peacefully on February 20, 2016 in Lane County at the age of 95½.
A fourth-generation Eugenean, John Gillespie was the last surviving great-grandson of pioneer, Rev. Jacob Gillespie, who captained a wagon train from Missouri to Eugene in 1852. Rev. Gillespie brought with him on the journey, his six daughters and his 5-year-old only son, Marcellus. Settling near what is now Valley River Center, Rev. Gillespie established the first church in Eugene in early 1853, the Cumberland (now Central) Presbyterian Church. He also served as Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government.
John's grandfather Marcellus and father Jake both farmed near what is now Gilham Elementary School. This land had originally been purchased by Marcellus Gillespie in 1865. A small portion of that acreage is still in Gillespie ownership to this day. John's mother, Myrtle, was descended from the pioneering Corum family of Eugene. At a time when married women rarely held jobs outside of their homes, she was not only a farming wife, but a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. John and his sisters all helped on the farm while attending school.
In 1939, John was introduced by one of his cousins to a 16-year-old dark-haired beauty by the name of Connie, who he courted by leaving baskets of peaches on her family's doorstep on Taylor Street in Eugene. A couple of years after graduating from Eugene High School, John and two of his friends moved to California and took jobs at Lockheed Corp. On Sept. 2, 1941 in Los Angeles, John married the love of his life, Constance Anita Blaine. He was 21 and she was not yet 18.
After December 7, 1941, John continued for a time working at Lockheed, helping to assemble P-38 Lightning fighter planes for the U.S. Army's war effort. In June of 1944, when Connie was expecting their first child, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, Second Division. He served in the South Pacific.
In August of 1945 John's division was scheduled to participate in what was expected to be a formidable land invasion of Japan. He was not alone in feeling that President Harry S Truman had saved his life by authorizing the use of the atom bomb. Instead, John's division helped in securing the surrender in Nagasaki two weeks after that city was bombed. Like many WWII veterans, John was proud of his service to his country but rarely spoke about his experiences during the war.
After returning from his military service in May of 1946, John went to work for a fellow WWII veteran at A.B. Scarlett GMC Trucks, working his way up to sales manager. John Scarlett and John Gillespie maintained a lifelong friendship. In 1969, John & Connie formed a partnership with his sister Gladys Perry & her husband Brooks. The two couples bought and operated Mac's Battery & Filter Service at 1330 6th Ave. in Eugene. The Perrys retired in 1973 and John & Connie became the sole owners. They sold Mac's and retired in 1981.
In retirement, John was noted for being a fruit orchardist, especially for his peach trees. He was a prolific gardener and home wine maker, always sharing his bounty with others. His interest in woodworking began in his high school shop class and remained with him throughout his life. His marvelous woodworking skill was reflected in great artistry and resulted in many heirlooms. John took pleasure in traveling, both in the U.S. in his and Connie's RV, and taking trips to Ireland, Scotland and England. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting, but most of all, spending time with family and friends. John was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 357 and a past member of Shadow Hills Country Club.
A man of very few words, John took great pride in being a good provider for his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife and he was cherished by his sons. He was proud of his oldest son's Army career and when his youngest son became an attorney, John humorously put a bumper sticker on his vehicle that read, "My lawyer can beat your lawyer."
John and Connie were married for 74½ years and would have celebrated their diamond anniversary on September 2, 2016. A gentleman, he was noted for never leaving the dinner table without first thanking the cook.
John was survived by his wife Connie; two sons and their wives; three grandsons; a foster grandson; by 8 great-grandchildren; four nieces and by one nephew, all of whom loved him dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents; both of his sisters and their spouses, Gladys and E. Brooks Perry; and Alice and Leland Blair. He was buried next to his parents in Gillespie Pioneer Cemetery.
John is dearly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him. He enriched the lives of everyone he met. His was a long life well-lived.
August 27, 1920 ~ February 20, 2016
John Jacob Gillespie was born in Eugene on August 27, 1920 to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. He was their youngest child, joining sisters Gladys and Alice on the family's farm in northeast Eugene. He died peacefully on February 20, 2016 in Lane County at the age of 95½.
A fourth-generation Eugenean, John Gillespie was the last surviving great-grandson of pioneer, Rev. Jacob Gillespie, who captained a wagon train from Missouri to Eugene in 1852. Rev. Gillespie brought with him on the journey, his six daughters and his 5-year-old only son, Marcellus. Settling near what is now Valley River Center, Rev. Gillespie established the first church in Eugene in early 1853, the Cumberland (now Central) Presbyterian Church. He also served as Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government.
John's grandfather Marcellus and father Jake both farmed near what is now Gilham Elementary School. This land had originally been purchased by Marcellus Gillespie in 1865. A small portion of that acreage is still in Gillespie ownership to this day. John's mother, Myrtle, was descended from the pioneering Corum family of Eugene. At a time when married women rarely held jobs outside of their homes, she was not only a farming wife, but a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. John and his sisters all helped on the farm while attending school.
In 1939, John was introduced by one of his cousins to a 16-year-old dark-haired beauty by the name of Connie, who he courted by leaving baskets of peaches on her family's doorstep on Taylor Street in Eugene. A couple of years after graduating from Eugene High School, John and two of his friends moved to California and took jobs at Lockheed Corp. On Sept. 2, 1941 in Los Angeles, John married the love of his life, Constance Anita Blaine. He was 21 and she was not yet 18.
After December 7, 1941, John continued for a time working at Lockheed, helping to assemble P-38 Lightning fighter planes for the U.S. Army's war effort. In June of 1944, when Connie was expecting their first child, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, Second Division. He served in the South Pacific.
In August of 1945 John's division was scheduled to participate in what was expected to be a formidable land invasion of Japan. He was not alone in feeling that President Harry S Truman had saved his life by authorizing the use of the atom bomb. Instead, John's division helped in securing the surrender in Nagasaki two weeks after that city was bombed. Like many WWII veterans, John was proud of his service to his country but rarely spoke about his experiences during the war.
After returning from his military service in May of 1946, John went to work for a fellow WWII veteran at A.B. Scarlett GMC Trucks, working his way up to sales manager. John Scarlett and John Gillespie maintained a lifelong friendship. In 1969, John & Connie formed a partnership with his sister Gladys Perry & her husband Brooks. The two couples bought and operated Mac's Battery & Filter Service at 1330 6th Ave. in Eugene. The Perrys retired in 1973 and John & Connie became the sole owners. They sold Mac's and retired in 1981.
In retirement, John was noted for being a fruit orchardist, especially for his peach trees. He was a prolific gardener and home wine maker, always sharing his bounty with others. His interest in woodworking began in his high school shop class and remained with him throughout his life. His marvelous woodworking skill was reflected in great artistry and resulted in many heirlooms. John took pleasure in traveling, both in the U.S. in his and Connie's RV, and taking trips to Ireland, Scotland and England. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting, but most of all, spending time with family and friends. John was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 357 and a past member of Shadow Hills Country Club.
A man of very few words, John took great pride in being a good provider for his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife and he was cherished by his sons. He was proud of his oldest son's Army career and when his youngest son became an attorney, John humorously put a bumper sticker on his vehicle that read, "My lawyer can beat your lawyer."
John and Connie were married for 74½ years and would have celebrated their diamond anniversary on September 2, 2016. A gentleman, he was noted for never leaving the dinner table without first thanking the cook.
John was survived by his wife Connie; two sons and their wives; three grandsons; a foster grandson; by 8 great-grandchildren; four nieces and by one nephew, all of whom loved him dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents; both of his sisters and their spouses, Gladys and E. Brooks Perry; and Alice and Leland Blair. He was buried next to his parents in Gillespie Pioneer Cemetery.
John is dearly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him. He enriched the lives of everyone he met. His was a long life well-lived.
