Clyde Dean Gillispie

Clyde Dean Gillispie was born in Graford, Texas on June 4, 1935 to Clyde Norman and Rena Kinder Gillispie. He was the youngest of 9 siblings. He passed away peacefully on August 26, 2023 at the age of 88 years in Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Tx surrounded by his family.

He was predeceased by his parents Clyde and Rena Gillispie, the Mother of his children Wimpy Gillispie, a daughter Marla Kay Mitchell, a Grandson Jess Ragle, Sisters Lorean Logan Weldon, Elizabeth Bates McAlister, Bessie Gene Gillispie, Effie Gene Sain, Geraldine Weeks, Brothers Earnest, Sherill, and Varron (Shorty) Gillispie, a Son-in law Eddie Odom, Brother-in-laws Curtis Logan, Harry McAlister, Richard Sain, and Billy Weeks. A Sister-in-law Mary Ann Gillispie. Nephew Matt Gillispie, Great nephews Lloyd (Bubba) Johnson and Phillip Kincaid.

He attended school at Graford where he proudly wore the #31 as the point guard for the Graford Jackrabbit Boys Basketball Team. After finishing his Junior year in 1954 he had a friend that wanted to join the Army but was a little hesitate to go alone, so Clyde Dean decided to join with him. He did Basic Training in El Paso, Texas and then served with The 433 Missile Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington. After being honorable discharged he returned to Graford and worked as a Truck Driver hauling many head of cattle. He later worked at Southern Airways before Fort Wolters closed and he went to work for Rife Production as a Driller drilling many oil wells in Palo Pinto County.

He met and later married Winifred (Wimpy) Calk Mitchell on November 22, 1958. Wimpy was a young widow with two beautiful daughters, Phyllis and Marla Kay Mitchell. Clyde Dean and Wimpy became the parents of a son Billy Clyde, then two daughters Deana Sue and Jerry Lou came along to complete their family. They lived in Hamby for a while before moving to Graford. 

Clyde Dean served eight years on the Graford ISD Board of Trustee where he was able to present four of his five children with their diplomas at graduation.

He was always there to support his children watching them play sports sitting on the famous "GRAFORD BENCH". They knew he was there, their coaches knew he was there, and sometimes the Referee or Umpire knew he was there.

He helped found The Graford Ball Park Assoc . in 1969 that remains in existence today and helped build Eubanks Field so the kids in Graford would have a place to play summer league ball. He coached many Little League teams.

He was one of the founding members of the Graford Lions Club as an active member until moving to Abilene.

He had a passion for shooting pool, playing cards, playing dominos, and was UNBEATABLE at the game of Moon. He was very knowable in sports with his favorite teams being The Dallas Cowboys, The Texas Rangers, The Dallas Mavericks, and any team Billy Clyde was coaching. He loved the sport of Horse racing leading him to take his family on several vacations to Ruidoso, New Mexico with the Townsend, Ford, and Morrow families, building lifelong bonds with each family. He also had a love for Rodeo, especially The Texas Cowboy Reunion in Stamford, Texas where he rode and ATTEMPED to ride a few broncs.

He had a quick wit and the ability to use words and ideas in an amusing, clever, and imaginative way to draw people to him like a magnet.

On December 5, 1997 he married Vondell Blair in Abilene, Texas where he lived out the remainder of his life. 

He is survived by his wife Vondell Gillispie, son Billy Clyde Gillispie of Stephenville, daughters Phyllis Odom of Llano, Deana Sue Meredith/Jim of Keller, Jerry Lou Hoffman/Kevin of Mart and a stepdaughter Rhonda Blair of Conroe. Son-in-law Louis Ragle of Graford. Three Grandchildren Reacheal Odom Bauman, Mitchell Ragle, and Shelby Meredith Turnbo. Great Grandchildren Kourtnie Hall, Wyatt Bauman, Cheyenne Fritsch, Hudson Ragle, and Ascher Turnbo. Three Great Greatgrandchildren Brailee and Jase Hall, Earnest Fritsch. Nieces and Nephews Annett Dobbs, Sherry Kincaid, Frank Bates, Dixie Smiddy, Erma Cobb, Brenda Blevins, Nita Calicutt, James Bates, Wayne, Michael, and Kyle Gillispie and Jeannie Edge.15 Great Nieces and 14 Great Nephews with three being very special to him for all the time spent with them Cody Lyon, Kevin Blevins and Todd Kincaid.

Celebration of Life for Clyde Dean Gillispie will be Thursday August 31, 2023 at 11:00 A. M. at The Venue 208 N Main Graford, Texas. Lunch immediately following service.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The Graford Ex Student Assoc. Scholarship Fund by sending your check to P. O. Box 144 or Sherry Kincaid 521 Railroad Ave Graford, Texas 76449.

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