To all of Johnnie’s family,

I am so sorry to hear of Johnnie’s passing, albeit belatedly.  If we had heard of this sooner, we certainly would have attended his celebration of life.  We had such great times growing up together on Meis Ave., where we played endless games of baseball in the streets had carnivals in the empty lot next to the Gillespie house, and ate so much delicious Walt’s chili and other great foods from all our moms kitchens.  We kids were so lucky to grow up where all the parents looked out for us, and we had so many childhood friends to play with in our neighborhood.  It was a treasured time.  John was one of the “big kids” in my memory, and we looked up to them and tried to follow the good examples they set.  I never got to meet any of his adult family, but I know you must be a loving bunch, having coming from Gillespie heritage.  God bless you all.

Leslie Glick Parsons