John B. Gillispie (Gillespie) peacefully passed away Monday, October 19, 2026, at Pocahontas Center with his wife by his side.
Born November 17, 1939, in Arbovale, he was a son of the late Mae Snyder Gillispie and Delbert Gillispie.
Johnny was part of a large family. He had many memories of growing up on the farm, milking cows, hoeing gardens, tending sheep, and working with his sisters and brothers. He was taught to value family, education, honesty, good friends and hard work.
Johnny was a lover of books, words, Coors Lite and a good cigar, and most of all West Virginia. No matter where he was living, he always returned to West Virginia and Arbovale. He had a cabin built across from the old farmland on Buffalo Mountain Road. He spent his time there working on his land, helping Mae with the farm and walking in his woods. You could find Johnny in the evening sitting by a campfire behind the cabin or reading a good book underlining passages and words that he especially liked.
He was an avid jogger. He thought nothing of working outside all day and then jogging five miles around North Fork. He was always up for a challenging game of volleyball at the family farm. He loved playing horseshoes with his brother, brother-in-law, cousin and friends.
Johnny graduated from Green Bank High School in 1957 and then spent three years in the army where he worked in the underground Pentagon at Fort Richie, Maryland. He attended and received a bachelor’s degree from Glenville College and later a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Johnny moved to Southern California in the 1960s. He taught at Meadowbrook Middle School in Poway, California. He became one of the driving forces behind opening a new alternative high school, Abraxas High School. He eventually returned to Meadowbrook Middle School as a guidance counselor and then dean of students.
He met his wife, Debbie, at Meadowbrook. Johnny split his time between New Hampshire and West Virginia after he retired. His last years were spent in West Virginia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Mark; brothers Julian, Sterle, Jerry and James (infant).
He leaves behind his wife, Debbie; brothers and sisters, Wayne Gillispie (Kay), Susan Peck (Jesse Lynn), Nancy Barker (Denzil), Nadine Harrison and Steven Gillispie (Janet).
Johnny was close to his many nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his nephew Tim. They spent many hours discussing philosophy while driving between New Hampshire and West Virginia.
Johnny wrote poems. Here’s a little ditty he left behind.
My life flew by so very fast
I know it surely won’t last
My eighty years I do recall
Each year I loved, I loved them all
A graveside service, led by Tim Gillispie, will be held Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Arbovale Cemetery. Friends and neighbors are welcome to attend.
Johnny and Debbie would like to thank the staff of Pocahontas Center for their care, skill and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pocahontas County Humane Society. 304-799-6767.
Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Arbovale is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
