Ronald Lee Gillespie

Ronald (Ron) Lee Gillespie, 62, passed away peacefully at Moberly Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, January 5, 2022.

Ron was born June 28, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald and Mary Jean Gillespie. He attended elementary and high school there.

He met Kris (Wright) Prather through a mutual friend, LeAnne (Billington) Hergert, in Moberly, and they were married on September 27, 2004. He and Kris recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary. Ron worked as a semitruck driver for most of his life, most recently for Hostess, Fedex and Dohrn.

He loved the game of golf and in later years especially enjoyed playing golf with his stepson and grandchildren. In addition, he had a deep and abiding love for his family and friends. The family enjoys their memories of the times they spent with Ron, from the back yard pool fights to a game of golf, and the funny stories told by him and his cousin Johnny. He made any day a fun day for his grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, sister, brother and wife Kris. These memories will be tucked in their hearts forever. He is remembered as a kind, warm, generous, thoughtful, witty, and genuine person, and he will be greatly missed by those who loved him. Ron enjoyed the home he and Kris shared in Cairo, Missouri, and he loved caring for the property, especially activities such as taking care of the pool and mowing the lawn because it got him outside in the sun.

Ron is survived by his wife, Kris; stepson, Kristopher Prather; brother, David (Dorothy) Gillespie; sister, Diane (Noe) Bermudez; grandchildren, Nicole, Alex, Zach, Hailey and Mackenzie Prather; nieces, Jamie (Kevin) Riley, Jennifer (Henry) Fear, Nisa (Roger) Vasquez; nephews, David Gillespie, Nicholas Gillespie, Michael (Tressa) Bermudez; first cousins, Allan Olson, Edward Olson, Bernadine (Ralph) Ferro, and Donna (Louis) Vasquez; brothers-in-law, Steve Wright, Dennis (Becky) Wright and Michael Wright; sisters-in-law, Vicki (Eric) Turner, Debbie Regan and Donna (Donnie) Lewis. Ron was also a loving uncle to many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Anthony; Aunt, Helen Rose, Uncle, Lucky Olson and cousin/friend, John Fitzpatrick.

Due to Covid, a celebration of life will take place this summer around Ron’s birthday in June. Details will be forthcoming.