Darrell Wayne Gillispie, 66, of Owensboro entered into heaven on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 after a lengthy battle with kidney disease. Darrell was born March 12, 1953 in South Charleston, WV to the late James Richard and Helen Louise Smith Gillispie. He followed in his father’s footsteps who trained him to be a Power House Operator at Avtex Fibers in Nitro, WV. When Avetex Fibers closed, Darrell was hired at the Mountaineer Power Plant in New Haven, WV. This opportunity ultimately led to a job transfer to Owensboro with the newly opened Indiana/Michigan power plant in Rockport where he worked until he retired in 2010. Darrell was a member of Walnut Memorial Baptist Church where he began a friendship with Drexel Dorris who became more like a brother to him. Darrell loved being active in the church choir and served as a deacon until his illness began to hinder his participation. He also enjoyed music, dancing, sporty cars, the St. Louis Cardinals, bowling, and playing corn hole. Darrell loved his family especially his wife of 48 years, Cathy. He took great pleasure in the time he got to spend with his children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Gillispie also was preceded in death by a son, Lesley Wayne Gillispie in 1997; brothers, Larry Escue and James “Bucky” Gillispie; sisters, Ingrid Gillispie, Robin Rider, and Connie Escue. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Cathy Hedrick Gillispie; daughter, Angela Brown (Chad), Wesley Gillispie (DeeAnna); 8 grandchildren: Mackenzie Brown, Logan Brown (Sara), Jacob Brown (Mary), Emily Brown (Jonah), Kaleigh Gillispie, Christopher Gillispie, Jewell Hodges (Logan), and Blake Hodges; 5 great-great grandchildren: Addalyn, Hunter, Lilly, Brooklyn, and Rhett Brown; sisters, Tina Gillispie Payne and Christine Gillispie Southall and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for Darrell Gillispie will be 1:00 pm Saturday at Walnut Memorial Baptist Church where visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Heartford House/Hospice of W. Kentucky, 3914 Wathen’s Crossing Owensboro, KY 42301.
Memories and condolences for the family of Darrell Gillispie may be left at www.glenncares.com