James LaVerl Gillespie

James LaVerl "Jim" Gillespie died on Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona from complications of a brief illness.  He was 76 years old.  He was born, the second of nine children, to his parents, the late Verl and Jean (Frost) Gillespie on a Saturday, January 18, 1941, at the family home on Rainbow Lake in Lakeside, Arizona. Jim graduated from the old Lakeside High School as a member of its Class of 1959. He married the former Geneva Coffman on December 17, 1966. Together they had three sons James Laine, Trenton LaVerl and William Ryan. Along with his parents, Verl and Jean, Jim was preceded in death by his son, Trent; his brother, Mike; his sister, Clairice; and two nephews:  Braiden Rainey and Troy Gillespie.Jim is survived by his wife, of 50 years, Geneva; two sons:  James (Elizabeth) Gillespie,  Ryan (Jenny) Gillespie;  his daughter-in-law, Kim Gillespie; three sisters; three brothers and his ten grandchildren.The public visitation and viewing will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M. on Monday, May 15, 2017, at the Lakeside Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1520 Church Lane in Lakeside, Arizona, where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Lakeside Cemetery.Memorial contributions to The Verl Gillespie Memorial Fund have been suggested by his family.  Jim's family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for the prayers offered up on their behalf.