Robert E. Gillespie, Jr.

Pace-Stancil Funeral Home
1304 North Cleveland
Dayton, Texas 77535
936-258-5300 936-258-5653 fax
pacestancildayton@sbcglobal.net.
Robert E. Gillespie, Jr., 93, of Dayton, died Friday, July 13, 2012 at his home. He was born October 31, 1918 in Goose Creek, Texas where his father worked on an offshore oil well. His family moved from place to place following the oil boom; first to Electra, Texas then to Olney and back to Electra. They traveled to Wink, Texas, to California and back to Texas to the Rio Grande Valley. During all these travels Robert moved from school to school, but he finally graduated from Reagan High School in Houston.
Services for Mr. Gillespie will be10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Dayton with Rev. Dale Hill officiating. Interment will follow at Sinton Cemetery, Sinton, Texas.
He served in the Army Signal Corp for four years, mainly stationed in Alaska and Albution Islands during World War II. After Robert’s honorary discharge, he set out to attend A M University in Kingsville, and then with his bachelor’s degree he went to Waco, Texas to attended Baylor University.
Soon after Robert met his future wife, Aileen Adams, who happened to be a Navy veteran. They married August 18, 1947 and were married for 64 years. Their beloved son, Lindsey, died at the age of 35. Robert and Aileen also fostered and helped raise two beautiful children Ted and Jo Ella Joiner. Robert and Aileen traveled extensively with their travel trailer across the United States and Canada. Robert served faithfully as a deacon at Bellaire Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Kingsland. He served in the Mission Service Corp. at several camps in Arizona and Alto Frio Encampment in Texas. Robert’s greatest joy was serving the Lord in his church, state and Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Queen Ann Gillespie, sisters, Marion Houston, and Emalene Carter, and son Lindsey Gillespie. Left to mourn his passing are wife of 64 years, Aileen Gillespie, daughter, Jo Ella Kinberger and husband Gary Smith, son, Ted Joiner, grandchildren, Lauren Kinberger, Michael and Bryan Joiner, sister, Betty Ann Lewis and many nieces, nephews, and friends.