Eugene Gillespie Obituary

Eugene "Red" Gillespie

June 6, 2025

Eugene "Red" Gillespie, age 77, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center.

He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene W. and Annie Ruth Gillespie; one brother, Luther Gillespie; and parents-in-law, Claude and Virginia Goines, all of Johnson City, TN.

Eugene attended Dunbar Elementary School and Langston High School. At Langston, he played varsity football from seventh to eleventh grades. His senior year, he graduated from Science Hill High School, where he played on the 65-66 undefeated football team. Red attended ETSU for two years, where he was a member of the first black Homecoming Queen's court.

Eugene volunteered to join the US Marine Corp during the Vietnam Era. He became a Lance Corporal and was named an Outstanding Marine of Platoon 344. He received the Leatherneck Magazine Dress Blue Award. He graduated Aviation Electronics NATE School, class A, and was an outstanding recruit at Parris Island in 1968.

After his honorable discharge, Eugene worked for Klopman Mills, Tennessee Valley Authority, AGC Glass, Johnson City Parks and Recreation, North Electric, and the US Post Office. He owned Big Red's Gym and co-founded Ziggies Teen Club. Red was a member of the Johnson City Pro-To Club, founder of Progressive Young Men's Club, and co-founder of Johnson City Boxing Club. Eugene loved fast cars, the Philadelphia Eagles, and connecting with people. He could easily spend hours talking to anyone who stopped by or called to check in on him.

Eugene loved his community and the youth of Johnson City. He spent much of his life at Carver Recreation Center. Starting at the age of 8, he volunteered at summer programs, was a concession worker, junior and senior lifeguard, water safety instructor, game room attendant, skating program assistant and pool supervisor. As the director, he started the library at Carver Recreation Center as an outreach of the Watauga Regional Library. Later in life, Eugene served 25 years on the Johnson City Parks and Recreation advisory board as a member, vice chairman, and then chairman. In 2000, Eugene was named a citizen representative to the TRPA (Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association) council and was a member of the NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association). He once said, "Recreation has always been an enormous part of my life. The facilitation of programs that provide youngsters the basics of a productive future is my life's vocation."

Eugene is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Georgia Goines Gillespie; two children, Anna Denise (Chris) Neal, and Reginald (Kim) Gillespie; five grandchildren who called him "Papaw:" Jadon and Jace Neal, Enoch, Isabella and Issa Gillespie; a great aunt, Theresa Dean Atkins; a very special cousin and caregiver, Angela Driver; classmates of the Langston High School Class of 1966, The Forgotten Class; the Arthur, Dudley, Bill, and Hugh Dean families; and the extended Goines families. Red had many close friends, co-workers, and partners in shenanigans and get-rich-quick schemes.

The funeral service will be conducted Friday, June 13, 2025, at 12:00 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home.

Committal service will follow at 2:00 P.M. in the Historic Section of Mountain Home National Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the U.S. Marine Corp Funeral Honors Team.

The family will receive friends Friday prior to the service from 11:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M. in the East Parlor of the funeral home, and other times at 313 Peach Blossom Court, Johnson City.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.appfh.net.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the Gillespie family. (423)928-6111