James Kenneth Gillespie

James K. "Jim" Gillespie of Paonia, age 95, was released from his earthly bonds on Friday, July 17, 2026. He was born in Bartlett, Colorado, On December 17, 1930, to George M. and Margaret E. (Winger) Gillespie. He moved to the North Fork Valley with his family when he was young, receiving his early education at the Stewart Mesa Schoolhouse before attending Paonia High School, graduating in 1949.

Jim married Marcella J. Hylton in Paonia, Colorado, on November 27, 1954, and they raised their four children on their beloved farm on Stewart Mesa, all of whom survive: Ross (Linda) Gillespie of Grand Junction; Ed (Sharon) Gillespie of St. George, Utah; Tom (Lynn) Gillespie of Paonia; and Peggy (John) Williams of Grand Junction. Twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren have been blessed by his love and life lessons. Jim is also survived by two siblings, Lavoe Gillespie of Grand Junction and Jack Gillespie of Paonia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and four siblings.

Jim answered his country’s call to service in 1952, serving two years in Korea in the U.S. Army followed by six years of service in the Army reserves before an honorable discharge. He loved his family, his farm and cows and his mountain. He willingly tolerated Marcella’s love of family camping trips and four-wheeling Colorado's beautiful mountains. He was a faithful Thursday attendee of Delta Sales Yard’s livestock sale for many, many years. Jim was fiercely independent and even though Delta became too far to drive in more recent years, he continued driving himself locally to breakfast, dinner and supper until very recently – you could set your watch by his schedule. His presence at the kitchen table will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

A memorial service will be held in Paonia, Colorado, at a later date. Memorial contributions to HopeWest Hospice Care Center, 3090 N. 12th Street, Grand Junction, Colorado, where he received excellent care throughout his final days, or to a charity of your choice.