Loren Earl Gillaspy

Loren Earl Gillaspy, Jr., 75, was born to Loren Earl Gillaspy, Sr. and Betty Opal Burke Gillaspy, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on August 14, 1946. He went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 28, 2021. He passed away suddenly after having a severe stroke.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; his father, Loren; and his grandparents, Claud and Ona Gillaspy.

On May 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Glenda Marie Kimbler. They were married in Carlsbad-by-the-Sea, California while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. The remainder of his two-year service was spent at El Toro Air Base. He was given an Honorable Discharge as a Lance Corporal in January, 1968.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of the home and his two sons: David and his wife, Teri, of Miller; and Glendal and his wife, Tammy, of Everton. Five grandchildren: Chad Gillaspy and wife, Kelsey, of Licking; Brent Gillaspy and Katelyn of Ash Grove; Samantha Gardner and husband, Cole, of Miller;, Amanda Hernandez and her husband, Steven, of Mt. Vernon; and Brook Hayes and husband, Kevin, of Everton. Eight great-grandsons: Carson, Cohen, Lincoln, Adrian, Xavier, Wade, Wyatt and John Wayne. He is also survived by eight sisters: Carolyn and Don Robberson; Ella and Keith Hurd; Leona and Jim Hankins; Rhonda McIsac; Maxine and Jess Leeper; Betty Kammerer; Debby and Don Hawkins; and Gayle and Eric Morgan; two brothers, Claude Gillaspy and Jim and Nancy Gillaspy; and a host of nieces and nephew.

After getting out of the Marines, Loren worked as a diesel mechanic for many years at various large dealerships in Springfield. He ran his own shop for about five years at Hood’s Truck Stop, then worked at Ash Grove School taking care of 16 buses all by himself until he retired.

He loved his farm and nothing pleased him more than taking his dog, Annie, out in the Ranger to count the cows and feed the fish in the pond. Then, he would cut brush or whatever other chores needed taken care of and feed hay with his new tractor that he was so proud of.

He especially loved being with his great-grandsons, who could always count on finding a mint in his pocket.

He spent 20 years on the Board at LACOBA Homes in Monett, Missouri. He was very dedicated to helping insure those patients got the care they needed.

He was a member in good standing in the American Legion Post 443 at Everton, Missouri.

He was saved and baptized in a Baptist Church in California when he was in the fourth grade. He rededicated his life in a revival service at Hopewell Baptist Church in the mid eighties and was later ordained as a deacon there.

He was currently a member of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He loved the Lord and serving his church family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services were Thursday, December 2, 2021 in Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church with burial at Antioch Cemetery, Everton, Missouri.

Services were under the direction of Birch Funeral Home.