James Cary Gillespie

Jackson TN – James Cary Gillespie, 58, of Jackson TN, formerly a longtime resident of Jonesboro, AR, died suddenly on Sunday, August 16, of natural causes at Jackson/Madison County General Hospital.

Cary was born in Jonesboro, AR. on May 31, 1951 to Fairy Conlee and James Edwin Gillespie. He is survived by his wife Rebetta Chance Gillespie, twin sons Jeremy Gillespie and his wife Jessica of Marion, AR, Cameron Gillespie and his wife Shannon of Searcy, AR, his father James Gillespie of Jonesboro, two sisters Gail Gillespie Deen of Baldwin, MO, Julia Gillespie Johnson of Dothan, AL, one brother Phillip Gillespie of Jonesboro, and his Father and Mother-in-Law, W. G. and Doris Chance, also of Jonesboro, AR. He is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, Anna Mahoney of Gainesville, VA., Eric Deen of St. Louis, MO., Whitney Kelley of Minneapolis, MN., Rachel Gillespie and Andrew Gillespie of Jonesboro, AR., and Ellen and Collier Johnson of Dothan, Alabama. His loving Aunt, Janie Ruth Luther of Pontotoc, MS., also survives him, along with numerous cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, and great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his mother Fairy Conlee Gillespie.

Cary grew up in Jonesboro and was an honor graduate of Jonesboro High School.
He was a graduate of Arkansas State University where he received a degree in Journalism. After college he worked at Ouachita Boat Company in Little Rock before returning to Jonesboro. He was employed at Colson Caster Company for the next 28 years. Most recently Cary continued his work in the caster business in Birmingham AL, as a co-owner of The Caster Store, and in Jackson, TN., with Jarvis Caster Company. For both Colson Caster and Jarvis Caster, Cary served for many years as the Marketing Manager. He was a member of the Craighead Bass Association since 1982.

Cary was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, AR. Cary had a deep passion for fishing, his pets and his friends but none greater than his love for his wife, children and family. He was best known for his kind and generous spirit. He was an organ and tissue donor.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 19th, at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, from 6-8 pm with a memorial service scheduled for Thursday, August 20th at 2 pm, at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, AR. Serving as honorary pallbearers are all past and present members of Craighead Bass Association.

Persons wishing to leave lasting memorials are asked to please consider the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, c/o Linda Tiramani, 520 8th Avenue, 7th Floor. New York, NY 10018 or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.