Roger Wayne Gillespie

Roger Wayne Gillespie, 84, of North Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully on February 2, 2019. He was born on April 28, 1934 in Salt Lick, (Bath County) Kentucky to parents, Farris Harold and Ruby Opal (nee Williams) Gillespie. Roger graduated from Lemon Monroe High School in 1952, where he was voted the best all around sportsman. He went on to receive his Bachelor Degree in Art and Business from Morehead State University in 1956, and also graduated first in his class from the Ohio Police Academy. That same year, Roger wed Josie McIntosh, and the marriage lasted for 5 years. He later married Loretta Thompson Gillespie in Miami Beach, Florida on June 19, 1965.
He began his career as the Vice President of Gillespie Insurance and later joined Metropilitan Life Insurance as a Branch Manager. Throughout his career, Roger became heavily involved in politics and government. He was the Deputy Sheriff of the Butler County Sheriff's Department, served on the staff of Congressman Tom KIndness of the US House of Representatives as the Director of Constituent Service, and managed the campaigns for both Brown for Ohio Governor and Ashbrook for the US Senate. His endeavors led him to reside all over the country including Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Florida.
Roger's political career included associations with many politicos including governors, senators, and US Congressman, as well as many notable moments, such as meeting three presidents and flying in Air Force One, and serving as an Ohio Delegate for the 1980 Republican National Convention. His affiliations included serving as the President of the Young Republicans of Ohio, as well as the Ohio League Treasurer and Chairman, among many other Political, historical, and charitable organizations.
Even in retirement, Roger continued to serve his community as a Historical Museum Tour Guide at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Kentucky History Museum, and Kentucky Gateway Museum. He continued to pursue his hobbies and interests in genealogy, military history, politics, antique restoration, coin collecting, and travel.
Roger will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Loretta Gillespie of North Fort Myers, FL, son; Fred Gillespie (and fiancee Julie Mannon) of Middletown, OH, and son David Gillespie of Portland, OR, daughter; Jenna Anderson (and husband John Anderson) of Longview, WA, son, Jon Gillespie (and wife Traci Gillespie) of Arvada, CO, grandchildren; Ferris, olivia, and Jillian Gillespie of Middletown, OH, granddaughters; Marley Ailey, and Kiley Anderson of Longview, WA, granddaughters; Avery and Julia Gillespie of Arvada, CO, great-grandsons; Quinn, Nolan, and Judah of Middletown, OH, brother; Harold Gillespie of Winchester, KY, sister; Emma Perkins of Lexington, KY; as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 5:00PM at the Fuller Metz Funeral Chapel on Del Prado Blvd. South in Cape Coral, FL, followed by a light reception at the funeral home.

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