Gunner Henry Gillespie

On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, Gunner Henry Gillespie earned his wings. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor on Nov. 30, 2007, Gunner and his family have spent the last year on a journey to “move Gunner’s mountain.” Gunner entered this world on Sept. 4, 2000, with a fighting spirit and a fierce will to live. Born prematurely in Robinson, Gunner weighed only 1 pound, 14 ounces and was 13 inches long. He was so tiny that his dad’s wedding band would slip up and down his arm. Gunner’s determination was amazing to watch and humbling to those around him.Gunner was blessed with extraordinary good looks. A beautiful child, he had gorgeous brown eyes framed by long, lush, lashes. His smooth skin would tan a golden brown as he played outdoors with his sister, Garlynn, and his best friend, Colton. His laughter was infectious as he rolled on the floor playing with his dogs, Cookie and Noodles. His long legs were well suited for jumping on the trampoline and swinging higher and higher on his back yard swing and his smile wreathed his face as he swam with the dolphins on a family vacation to Discovery Cove. Gunner had a mischievous side that was never more evident than when he would slip into the boy’s basketball locker room at Marshall County High School when his dad was conducting an intense pre-game pep talk with his team and flip the lights rapidly off and on. At the chorus of “GUNNNNEEERRRR” he would dance away in delight as his big laugh would echo through the gymnasium. Gunner found many things to laugh about and delight in during his short life span. He loved the movie, “The Polar Express” and would watch it repeatedly, laughing each time as though it was the first. He loved whales and sharks and dolphins. He loved Mexican food, his lizard Patches, and Disney World. But most of all, Gunner loved trains and it was his own drawing of a train captioned, “I Think I Can, I Think I Can” on bright yellow shirts that became the community wide symbol of the fight for Gunner’s life. First Marshall County took up his bright yellow banner as Gunner’s school, Central Elementary School, began wearing Gunner’s t-shirts. It soon spread to Marshall County High School where his parents, Gus and Janna Gillespie, are both teachers. Gunner’s message was spread nationwide during Marshall County’s Hoopfest as each basketball team took the floor wearing Gunner’s shirts warranting a mention of Gunner’s plight on ESPN. Gunner will never know the sheer number of lives that he touched in his short life. But because of Gunner, parents hugged their children a little tighter, people prayed harder and more often, and entire communities joined hands in a common cause as they supported Gunner and his family. Gunner has inspired hope — hope that one day childhood cancer will be defeated. Gunner’s difficulties have encouraged us all to be kinder, to love one another, to smile frequently, and laugh often. Gunner’s train has carried him to a better place but Gunner Gillespie will forever remain an inspiration to everyone. Gunner Henry Gillespie is survived by his parents, Gus and Janna Gillespie of Benton, Ky.; sister, Garlynn Gillespie of Benton, Ky.; and grandparents, Charles and Joan Gillespie, Anna Mae Henry, and Jon Pope, all of Lawrenceville. He is also survived by his uncle, Gard Gillespie and wife Lori, of Lawrenceville and cousins, Taryn and Tanna Gillespie, and Camille Andrews of Lawrenceville. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Terry Henry, and uncle, T.L. Henry.Memorial services will be held at Calvert City United Methodist Church on Monday at 6 p.m. A celebration of Gunner’s life will follow in the church fellowship hall. There will also be a memorial service at the First Baptist Church, 2625 Walbash Ave. Vincennes, IN 47591, Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Central time. A celebration of Gunner’s life will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will be wearing royal blue, Gunner’s favorite color, in memory of Gunner.Memorial contributions may be made to the Gunner Gillespie Magic Train Memorial Fund, c/o CFSB, P.O. Box 467, Benton, KY 42025. The family will be dividing all contributions to various children’s charities. Donations will be used for the charities that have been helpful to the Gillespies on their journey. An online guestbook will be available at collierfuneralhome.com.