Paul Howard Gillespie Jr.

Paul H. Gillespie Jr., born in 1937 in Spokane, Washington, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025. His life was marked by service, integrity, and deep dedication to his family, friends, and community.

Paul, known as Paddy by his family, grew up in Spokane Valley and attended Vera Grade School and Central Valley High School, where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1955. He went on to the University of Washington, and after college, joined the U.S. Army and built a distinguished career in military intelligence, retiring as a Colonel in 1988.

His military service took him around the world, and he lived in Germany, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Arizona before returning home to Spokane. He settled in the Rockwood neighborhood on the South Hill and later in Spokane Valley. Wherever he lived, Paul formed lasting friendships and remained connected to people across the country and around the world.

Paul was a fountain of knowledge, known by friends and family as a Jeopardy-level expert on nearly any subject. He was an avid skier, excellent cook, a pilot who flew solo across the country, a dedicated researcher of family genealogy, and if anything was broken, he could fix it. His passion for local history led him to serve actively with the Rockford Museum and Historical Society, where he was a trustee, prepared the annual calendar, and generously shared his research with families eager to learn their own histories.

He enjoyed a good book (mostly historical non-fiction), horse racing, crossword puzzles, tending to a garden, spending time with family at his cabin on Spirit lake, and cheering on UW football and Gonzaga basketball.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Elizabeth; his sister, Claudia; and his close friend, Judy. He is survived by his siblings Peter (Les), Ann, and Jeff (Cheryl); nephew Bo (Karen); niece Alison (Chris); and grand-nieces Ruby, Bailey, and Quinn.

A Private Family Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Rockford, WA on Saturday, December 13, 2025

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Rockford Historical Society, P.O. Box 32, Rockford, WA 99030, an organization Paul served with great pride.