E.T. “Sam” Gillespie born December 6, 1924 to Ersline Gillespie and Vera Lee died Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, September 8, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Nederland with Rev. Malcolm Monroe officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches under the direction of Broussard’s in Nederland. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 PM Sunday at the mortuary.
A native of Kirbyville, Sam lived all of his life in Nederland. He retired after 46 years of service from Neches Butane as a boilermaker. He served 17 years as a crossing guard at the Highland Park Elementary for the Nederland Police department. He also served on the Nederland City Council for 24 years. Sam served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nederland for 48 years.
Mr. Gillespie is survived by his wife of 56 years Rita “Jean” Gillespie; daughter, Donna Brown and husband Billy of Hull, Daisetta; two sons, Ersline “Jim” Gillespie and wife Tina of Port Neches, Kirk Gillespie and wife Tina of Nederland; six grandsons, Evan, Ethan and Eric Brown, Tommy Gillespie, Anthony and Devin Coe; six granddaughters, Michelle, Stacey, Lindsey and Tara Gillespie, Lacey Simon and husband James, and Mindy Watkins; one great grandson, Kaden Brown and several nieces and nephews.
