Carl Gillespie

Carl Early Gillespie, Jr. Carl Early Gillespie, Jr., 83, of Independence, Mo., formerly of Lexington, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 S. St., Lexington, MO 64067, 660-259-2245. Carl was born on May 16, 1939, in Independence to Carl Early Gillespie, Sr. and Mildred Lorene (O'Dell) Gillespie. He graduated in 1957 from William Chrisman High School in Independence and attended UMKC. He retired from the Metropolitan Community Colleges as a facilities assistant. An avid history buff, Carl was involved in the historical societies in both Lexington, Mo. and Oak Grove, Mo. He was an avid reader and collector of books - an addiction he passed to new generations. He knew how to tell a great story - his poetry and prose could bring a tear to your eye or a full belly laugh. It didn't matter if you were friend or foe, when he was feeling mischievous, which he often was, you would find yourself the unsuspecting victim of one of his well-planned pranks. Carl was a crazy cat gentleman - he loved his cats almost as much as he hated Trump. As a supporter of civil rights, Carl was a lifelong Democrat and ally of humanitarian causes - such as his involvement with Sertoma International. Carl is survived by a brother, Kenneth W. Gillespie who was also born in Independence; two nieces, Kathy Niemeyer of Austin, Texas and Brigette Gillespie of Atlanta, Ga.; a nephew, Kenneth S. Gillespie of Los Angeles, Calif.; and his beloved cats, Romeo and Juliet. Carl was preceded in death by his parents.