HAROLD JAMES GILLESPIE
1922-2022
Harold James Gillespie, better known as Jim Gillespie, died on April 20 at his home in the Eagle’s Trace retirement community in Houston at the age of 99. Jim was born October 16, 1922, in Camden, NJ, and his early years were spent in Pedricktown, New Jersey. He received his high school education in Camden. Jim served in the military for five years both before and during World War II, first in the Infantry as a radio operator and then in the Army Air Corps as a navigator on B-24 bombers, flying missions from England over Germany and France. After the war, he attended the University of Houston and graduated in 1949 with a degree in civil engineering. He then worked for the John D. Trilsch Engineering Company in Houston before going to Venezuela with Creole Petroleum, a subsidiary of Exxon. He remained in Venezuela for the next 22 years, working in La Salina, Amuay, Caripito, Quiriquire, and in the Caracas office. He returned to the Houston Exxon office in 1977 and remained there until retiring in 1982 to an active life of travel, biking and running, as well as enjoying time with friends and family.
Preceding Jim in death were his son Steven, his parents Harold and Christine Gillespie, and his sister Carolyn Ward. He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Darla McNay and husband Keith, son Chris Gillespie and wife Jeanne, and son Andy Gillespie and wife Karen.
He is also survived by niece Lisa Baarns (Don), grandchildren Kyle McNay (Patricia), Blake McNay (Emily), Brian Gillespie (Andrea), Tracy Gillespie, Sarah Straight (Adam), Stephen Gillespie (Sarah),
Ray Harper and Maeve Harper, as well as eight greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service for Jim will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Dr. Brad Morgan officiating. A reception at the church will follow. For those who wish, and in lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Caring Forever Fellowship at the Methodist church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77079.