Charley "Chuck" P. Gillespie

Colonel Charley “Chuck” Pat Gillespie (USAF-Ret.), 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2023, in Birmingham, surrounded by his family. Chuck was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, on January 30, 1933, to Fred and Doris Gillespie and was raised in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from Bradley University in 1954. Upon graduation, he received a commission into the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant.

Chuck served his country for 28 years on active duty with the Air Force from 1954 to 1983, rising to the rank of Colonel. Except for three years (1967-1970) as a professor of Aerospace Studies at Ohio State University teaching Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) cadets, and one year earning his MBA at Michigan State University, Chuck spent his career as a computer systems staff officer. Early in his career, he distinguished himself as a key architect in the design and implementation of automated data processing (ADP) and information management systems within the Air Force and Department of Defense. Chuck’s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Chuck was also a graduate of the Air War College in 1973.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1983, Chuck was hired as an executive vice president for Computer Data Systems Inc. (CDSI) of Rockville, Maryland, one of the Washington area’s oldest information technology companies. CDSI was acquired in 1997 by Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., of Dallas, where Chuck continued as executive vice president until his retirement from ACS in 2002.

Charley was a longtime member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church where he was actively involved in serving meals, greeting members and Sunday school.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Sue Bates and MaryAnn West; wife Betty Gillespie, who he was married to for 26 years; and grandson, Luke Gillespie. He is survived by his wife LaRue Speights-Gillespie; and by the mother of his children, Geraldine Glass, to whom he was married for 37 years. He is also survived by children Brenda Voulgarides (Louis), Mark Gillespie (Cheryl), Sara Henderson (Ronnie), and Julie Prince (Lance). Other survivors include stepchildren Chuck Tarter (Michelle), Roddie Tarter, Eddie Tarter, Stephen Speights (Gary), Stephanie Hollinger (Doug), and Jennifer Binet (John); grandchildren Anthony and Jake Voulgarides, Zac Henderson, Jack, Beau and Lily Prince, Kelsey Gillespie, Heidi Gillespie Welfl, Lindsay Stotts and Kaylea Dubelbeis; 15 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and LuLu, his faithful Shih Tzu companion.

Chuck was the consummate professional. He was a gifted leader, manager, mentor, communicator, problem solver and role model. Chuck loved to help people any way he could. He was a selfless man who put the needs of others before himself. His priorities were God and family and he demonstrated this by his actions and led by example. Everyone who met him loved and admired him. But above all, he was a family man and a War Eagle.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 2600 Vestavia Drive, Birmingham, Alabama, 35216. Visitation will begin at 3PM followed by the Celebration of Life service at 4PM. Chuck’s ashes will be interred with military honors at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, Charley requests donations be made to Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Benevolence Fund http://www.vhbc.com/giving

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Gillespie family.