Kenneth Charles "Ken" Gillespie

Kenneth (Ken) Charles Gillespie
WINTERVILLE - Kenneth (Ken) Charles Gillespie, 87, Passed peacefully at home on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Funeral Mass to be held Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11 am, Saint Peter Catholic Church, Greenville, NC.
Ken was born on January 28, 1937 at home, in Saint Elmo Illinois to William Paul and Margaret Louise Lay Gillespie. He lived in Saint Elmo until he graduated from Saint Elmo High School in 1954. Ken matriculated at the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Commercial Teaching. After graduation he taught business classes at Windsor High School, in Windsor, Illinois and ran a produce stand for the summers of 1960-61. After a few years of scraping along on a teacher's salary, despite knowing little of how business worked, he made a move that would shape his life. Always quick to seize an opportunity, he launched a career at Blaw-Knox, a paving equipment manufacturer, during the heyday of the Eisenhower Interstate project. Bolstered by the power of the 1960s advertising age, Ken moved rapidly through the industry, collecting experience and know-how along the way. By the late 1970s, he realized that advertising was a young man's game and settled into a Public Relations role at a construction trade association. Never a man to rest on his laurels, Ken continued his self-invention, taking over his father's accounting business in 1985. Finding himself ill-prepared to take this business to the level that he envisioned, he returned to college, earning a second Bachelor's degree, cum laude, in Accountancy from Northwood University. This training facilitated a lifelong dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant. In partnership with his beloved wife, Geraldine, they operated an accounting and tax practice until 2006.
Ken married Joan Carls in 1959. Together they had three sons: Todd (1961); Bradley (1965) and Matthew (1967) and five grandchildren. Ken married Geraldine O'Shea in 1978. Together they had a daughter, Julianna Louise (1981) and two grandchildren. Ken relished time spent with his grandchildren and took great pride in the farm he operated at the end of his driveway. Up until his final days, he kept Matt and Brad on their toes, fiercely competing in an online strategy game. Ken was a member of Saint Peter Catholic Church in Winterville, and an active member the Knights of Columbus, serving many years as Treasurer. Ken spent his final years compiling a wonderful collection of colorful life stories and anecdotes that will keep his memories alive long after his passing.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Paul (2/2/1917 - 8/1/1985), his mother, Louise (8/25-1918 - 5/23/2003) and his eldest son, Todd (10/7/1961 - 3/21/2010).
Kenneth is survived by: His adored wife, Geraldine; three children: Bradley, Matthew (Julie) and Julianna (Jay); seven grandchildren: Ian, Rachel, Paul, Anna, Megan, Jake and Jordan; two cousins: Edward (Martha), Connie (Kent), Gina (Jack)and Nicky (Jeremy).
In lieu of flowers, Ken asked that contributions be made to The Salvation Army (in his words, The Army), stating: "They do not pay extravagant salaries to their staff."
Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville, NC
Online condolences at www.WilkersonFuneralHome.com