Dennis Allen Gillespie

Dennis Allen Gillespie, 77, passed away peacefully at home on October 27,2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dennis was born on April 2, 1949, in Hugoton, Kansas, to Glenn and Laura (Wilson) Gillespie. He graduated from Hugoton High School in 1967 and attended Kansas State University and Okmulgee College. Dennis married Carol Sinclair in 1971. Together, they had three children: Gina (Steve) Downey of Ford, KS; Chris Gillespie of Montezuma, KS; and Diane (Trevor) Mangels of Hugoton, KS. In November 1978, he married Sandra Kay (Rollins) Gillespie and welcomed her son, Jonathan White, as his own. They enjoyed 39 years of marriage before her passing in 2017. Dennis worked for many years as a mechanic in Hugoton, owning his own shop before later working for Hugoton Truck Service and eventually operating his own independent irrigation motor service. He was passionate about computers and all things mechanical. In 2002, Dennis and Sandy relocated to the Jefferson, TX, area, where Dennis began volunteering as a firefighter. He eventually spent several years as the leader of the department, a role he thoroughly enjoyed. During this time, he made many lifelong friends. In 2025, Dennis and Glenda (Eidson) Gillespie married after several years of courtship. Through this union he gained an additional loving family who remained by his side through his final days, caring for him until the very end. Dennis is survived by his wife, Glenda, of Tulsa, OK; his children; his siblings, Roger Gillespie of Hugoton, KS, Neal Gillespie of Hugoton, KS,Kay Gillespie of Garden City; his seven grandchildren, Colton (Kate)Downey, CJ Porter, Claire (Aaron) O’Hair, Marshall Gillespie, Gracie Gillespie, Glenn Gillespie, and Sunny Mangels; and his five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandy Gillespie; his stepson, Jonathan White; his sister-in-law, Gail Gillespie; nephew, Chay Gillespie and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date.