Obituary of J. Frank Gillespie

J. Frank Gillespie, 92, of Camas, passed into the arms of his Lord Jesus after a 15-year fight with Parkinson’s and Myotonic Dystrophy, on Friday, May 12, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 24, 1925 in Creston, BC, grew up on a northern Alberta farm and served in Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. 

Frank graduated from the University of Alberta, then to University of Notre Dame graduating in 1956 with his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. While working in northeast Ohio, he met and married Elizabeth McLeod on October 26, 1957. They had three daughters, moving to Camas in 1960. 

Frank worked as a research chemist for 10 years at the Camas Crown Zellerbach Research Center. After the lab, he went into sales of motivational and educational products. He also developed and managed City College (now University) in Vancouver. In 1980 he became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and continued in this field until retiring at age 80.

He was a loyal family man, a man of faith, involved for many years in the Camas United Methodist Church, Young Life and Camas Public Schools. He was a gentle, kind, caring and generous man with a keen mind and quick sense of humor. Frank and Elizabeth owned their home for 52 years before moving into Green Meadows Care Home February 2013. We are so grateful to owners Joe and Sheryl Stephens along with their staff for all the loving care they’ve given to Frank and Elizabeth.

He is survived by his devoted "ever-lovin’" wife of 59 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Ann Mitchell of Vancouver, Susan (Cris) Martinez of Camas, and Nancy (Lyle) Glasscock of Vancouver; grandchildren, Brandon (Laura) Mitchell of Florida, Elizabeth (Daniel) Langdon of Japan, and Joel (Sidney) Mitchell of Florida, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter Carrie Glasscock, April 2015.

Frank’s memorial service will be Friday, May 26, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at Camas United Methodist Church, 706 N.E. 14th Ave., Camas, WA 98607. Memorial contributions may be made to CUMC or Portland Shriners Hospital. Funeral arrangements have been made by Straub’s Funeral Home, Camas.