Michael Dale Gillispie

Michael Dale Gillispie 72 of Powhatan, Virginia finished his last ride on September 12, 2023

He was received in heaven by his parents Ralph Eugene Gillispie and his mother Bobbie Gillispie

 

Survived by his daughter Marie Wilbourne (Stacey); his two (shih tzu) four-legged sons Tank and Jeep; His brother Mark Gillispie (Grace); 3 grandchildren, Dustin, Hannah and Caitlin; 3 nieces Kimberly, Tina and Autumn; great nieces, great nephews and cousins; friends that became family, Jeff and Kathryn Carmichael and their son Cameron, As well as many, many friends. 

 

Michael was born in California, but his roots were planted deep in Texas. He grew up in Texas City, Texas. Later in life his job transferred him to Colorado were he lived for almost 23 years. He and a few friends started a desert trifle club that he was very serious about. He would always remind the group to ‘make sure you use the GOOD puddin’. He enjoyed his life in Colorado with so many friends. The beginning of 2020 he moved to Powhatan, Virginia to be close to his daughter. 

 

He loved riding his motorcycles through the years. He made a lot of memories on the open road with friends that he carried all his life. He was always ready for an adventure. He enjoyed playing games especially dominos with family, collecting treasures of all kinds and of course cigar boxes to put all his treasurers in. Front porch sitting on beautiful days. ‘Junkin’, Garage Sales and Antique stores was a good Saturday for him. He truly was a pit master; He could make the best Texas style brisket you ever tasted. He was a lover of animals domestic and wild. He once had a squirrel crawl on his lap at a rest stop and they shared a bag of peanuts. He had a gift of attention to detail with whittling and woodworking and enjoyed giving his work to others for them to enjoy just as much as he enjoyed making them. He was always eager to lend a hand or an ear to listen. Above all else Michael loved his family and the Lord. He loved to reminisce on family memories and tell stories, some of them over and over again. 

His favorite story in the Bible was David and Goliath. He loved his country and was a proud supporter of law enforcement. Michael never took the simple things in life for granted. Internment Private.

 

‘Heirloom tomato, lettuce, smoked cheddar cheese, smoked bacon sandwich. Grannies cream cheese dip and chips, big glass of sweet tea and enjoy the day’