Memories of Alan Dale Gillaspie | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Alan Dale Gillaspie

Pickerington, OH, USA

May 17, 1971 - April 7, 2021

May 17, 1971 - Apr 7, 2021

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isabella king

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Mr. Gillaspie was an amazing teacher. He helped me grow as a person when i most needed it. I moved right after my 6th grade year and nobody told me he had passed until just now. I feel so incredibly sorry. I hope he knew just how deeply he was loved by every person around him. He was truly so amazing and very kindhearted.

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Kay Watson

Alan will always be remembered for his tireless energy, his love of family, and his love for the Church. I know he is resting safe in the arms of Jesus, watching over us, and praying that we will continue in faith and trust, awaiting the day when we will all be reunited, and what a reunion it will be!

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Diana (Shanklin) Bair

My sympathy’s to the entire Gillespie family! I shall pray daily for hearts to heal with time!

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Barry Ward

2019, Thun, Switzerland

Hiking down from Stockhorn

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Barry Ward

2019, Eriz, Switzerland

Farm work crew

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Barry Ward

2019, Thun, Switzerland

Group from the mountain hut

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Barry Ward

I have many fond memories of Alan from the various youth mission trips we did together. He had a special gift for embedding fun, adventure, and friendly competition into every activity. There was never a shortage of smilies and laughter when Alan was around.

One of my favorite memories of Alan was from our 2015 trip to Thun. Alan and I shared a room for 12 days at the home of Tino and Mo. During that unusually hot summer in Thun, Alan and I frequently stopped for Coke Zero and pints of Ben & Jerry’s on our way back to Tino’s house at the end of the day. We ended many days eating ice cream while laughing, telling stories, praying, reflecting on the day, and planning for tomorrow.

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Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

Barry, Alan was always so grateful for your friendship and for all you did! He was blessed to have a kindred... Read more Barry, Alan was always so grateful for your friendship and for all you did! He was blessed to have a kindred spirit in you! ... Read more Barry, Alan was always so grateful for your friendship... Read more

Krysten Hughes

2017, Lexington, KY, USA

Alan and Rachel at Taco Bell on the way to CYC

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Rachel Gillaspie

Tino & Mo

We got to know and love Alan during the youth group's trips to Switzerland. He used to do a lot of driving for the group over here. When the weather was hot (often during summer), the a/c was usually on full power. So much so, that on one occasion the rear window of Alan's van broke into 10 million pieces from the temperature difference.

He loved the "Turkish Burrito", which actually is known over here as Durum Kebap - in fact, the whole family loves them so much that they celebrated a whole birthday in the Kebap place.

Whenever the group spontaneously decided to sing a song, Alan would just start one - he was never short of ideas for songs to sing.

During one of the group's stays, Alan managed to miss the highway exit for our house every single time (at least it felt like that) and end up in some weird place even we didn't know from the description. He always managed to find our place eventually, though.

Alan always had a smile on his face, he definitely was an ice breaker when meeting new people. We loved to listen to his stories, we found ourselves laughing a lot when together with him.

There were also some funny episodes when we were swimming in the Aare river. On some occasions, especially when swimming right next to downtown Thun, Alan was the first to throw himself from bridges and roofs into the chilly waters, copying the locals.

We miss you, Alan!!

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Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

Tino & Mo-you both are so special to us! Thank you for sharing wonderful memories! I enjoyed taking part... Read more Tino & Mo-you both are so special to us! Thank you for sharing wonderful memories! I enjoyed taking part in some of them and... Read more Tino & Mo-you both are so special to us! Thank you... Read more

Tino & Mo

River fun ...

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Kay Watson

Columbus, OH, USA

Never give up; stay positive; trust God; love family.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Kay Watson

Dover, OH, USA

I've known Alan since he was a small boy growing up. Our kids were in school and church together.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Kay Watson

Dover & Columbus, Ohio

Watching his energetic drum major performances last 2 years of high school at Dover. Thrill of seeing him dot the "I" at an OSU football game.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Kay Watson

Dover & Columbus, OH

Watching his high-energy drum major performances during his last 2 years at Dover High School. The great thrill of watching him dot the "I" at an OSU football game.

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Missy Stutz (Smith)

I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Alan and his family from my time at Dover High School. What stands out to me the most about Alan as I think back to him was his kindness. He was always kind to those around him and had a way of making everyone smile. Prayers to you all. May God surround you with His love.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Bill Ferguson

Well,
I’ve always missed y’all after you left Charleston,Sc. .
Alan will be missed, but he will be remembered even more.
Stay Strong.
It’s OK to Hurt and to go through all the phases of Loss.
Always try to Smile... Because Alan Would :-) .
Love Y’all
Bill Ferguson

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Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

So many fun Charleston memories! Thanks Bill! So many fun Charleston memories! Thanks Bill! So many fun Charleston memories! Thanks Bill!

Cheryl Armstrong

I am so sorry for your family’s loss Rachel. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Dillon Armstrong and Family

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Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

Thank you, that means a lot! Thank you, that means a lot! Thank you, that means a lot!

Eric Koch

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. Diley Middle School will forever miss Alan. This is a loss for our students, parents, staff, and community. Alan will be missed. Please let us know if you should need anything from us during this time. We are here for you if you need us.

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Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

Thank you! We can’t say enough about Diley Middle! What a great place for him to work! Appreciate everyone... Read more Thank you! We can’t say enough about Diley Middle! What a great place for him to work! Appreciate everyone there! Thank you! We can’t say enough about Diley Middle!... Read more

Michael Tremba

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspie, Tina, and the rest of Alan's family,
Playing 2nd chair tuba behind Alan in 1st, and watching his athletic ability, I was frequently amazed at his talents and his passion for life. I remember that when he put his mind to something, he was unstoppable. And I also remember the privilege of spending so much time together in my younger years.
I am so sorry for your loss, but only think of how many lives he's touched-not only through his talents, but also through his faith. And I look forward, through Christ's gift, to some day seeing him again, and hearing his music once more. Thanks for sharing this amazing person with all of us.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Matt Chapman

Remember playing soccer in his backyard with my older brothers. My turn at goalie, I took a fast one to the gut. I stopped play to recover. Alan said "let's see it" so I lifted my shirt. He laughed, "You can read Spalding on your stomach. Nice stop!" He made me feel like one of the big guys.
Larry, Barb, Tina, Rachel, Caleb, Zach - I'm so sorry.
Caleb and Zach, you saw what this looks like firsthand so follow his trail:
"A man will be like a refuge from the wind, like protection from a storm, like streams of water on arid ground, like a rock cliff shading a weary land." Isaiah 32:2

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Rachel Gillaspie

Scott Keesey

I met Alan in Charleston, SC through a mutual friend and my brother-in-law Matt Brunner, a high school friend of Alan's. At the time I was in school at the University of South Carolina. My sister and Matt came down to visit me and and we took some time to visit Charleston. It was there that Matt introduced me to Alan and we met his new wife Rachel. We had an absolute blast that weekend, and I felt an instant connection with Alan and Rachel. After my sister and brother in law left for Ohio, I felt very comfortable visiting Alan and Rachel very often in the years following. As it turned out, Alan's Grandfather was my father's school band director in Cadiz, Ohio, and Alan's father sang in a quartet with my Uncle Joe while in school together. What a small world. In the years that I knew Alan and Rachel I was most impressed with Alan's: fierelessness, his boystrous laugh, his competetivness, his high pitched singing voice and WHISTLE, as well as the intense speed at which he traveled; both walking and driving. :) Alan absolutely loved life and was not afraid to try anything; including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus! Alan was truly a spirit to be reckoned with! While the years got away from us as Alan and his family returned to Ohio, I will never forget my good friend who reminded me to live life to its absolute fullest, and to MOVE QUICKLY! BLING BLIIIING! (inside joke)

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Rachel Gillaspie

Comments:

Rachel Gillaspie

So much about this made me smile! Thank you for reaching out lately! Happy for Al right now, sad for us... Read more So much about this made me smile! Thank you for reaching out lately! Happy for Al right now, sad for us though. Can only get... Read more So much about this made me smile! Thank you for reaching... Read more

Phil Page

Rachel, Caleb, and Zach, words can't express how sorry we are about Alan. He was a great husband, father and truly just a great and caring person. I know our lives were better for knowing him and I'm sure many more would say the same thing. Thoughts and prayers for you guys.
Love, the Pages

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Rachel Gillaspie

Mike Schooff

Alan in OSU marching band.

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Rachel Gillaspie

Mike Schooff

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Rachel Gillaspie

Comments:

Mike Schooff

My best bud since 5th grade. First time I heard him play tuba was in the 5th grade. Such an amazing musician,... Read more My best bud since 5th grade. First time I heard him play tuba was in the 5th grade. Such an amazing musician, athlete, and ... Read more My best bud since 5th grade. First time I heard him... Read more

Jennifer Wade

What baby faces! What great seniors to this timid little freshman you both were! What baby faces! What great seniors to this timid little freshman you both were! What baby faces! What great seniors to this timid little... Read more

Rachel Gillaspie

I love this picture!!! Alan was so incredibly blessed to keep such a wonderful friend for so many years!... Read more I love this picture!!! Alan was so incredibly blessed to keep such a wonderful friend for so many years! We are grateful to ... Read more I love this picture!!! Alan was so incredibly blessed... Read more

Melinda McPeek

I love this picture so much! This is how I remember both of you! I love this picture so much! This is how I remember both of you! I love this picture so much! This is how I remember... Read more

Susan Hanna

Dear Gillespie Family, I was so sad to learn of Alan's passing. I never saw him without a smile on his face! We were friends in the Dover HS band. I have such fun memories of this day (photo below) when about a dozen of us went to Atwood to enjoy the sand and some laughs! The Brunners and Franks were there and Missy DeTorio, just a great bunch having a great day in the sun. Always a good time when Alan was around! I am so sorry for your loss. Alan was a sweet and talented friend. I wish you all comfort at this sad time. All my best, Susan Hanna

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Rachel Gillaspie

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Created with love by Rachel Gillaspie (Alan's wife).

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