Everett Lee “Bud” Gillispie, age 84, of Manhattan, died November 6, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Village in Manhattan.
He was born December 13, 1938, in Levant, Kansas, the son of Roy Hayes and Mildred Marie (Myers) Gillispie.
Bud graduated from Levant High School and attended Fort Hays State College where he met the love of his life, Lela Kay Ewing. They were married February 21, 1959 and made the move to Manhattan in July 1959. He began his career with Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company as a Claims Underwriter and would rise to be Assistant Sales Manager under Jay Payton in 1970. He retired December 31, 2001 having spent 42 years with Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.
In the 70s, Bud became very involved in the Manhattan Jaycee Organization, winning various awards including Outstanding Local President and Kansas Jaycee of the Year. Later, he was a member of the Optimist Organization and Solar Kiwanis.
In 1997, Bud joined Manhattan Lions Club and was very active for the next 20 years as a local and district officer, organizing various conventions and receiving many awards from International Presidents and District Governors. He was a recipient of a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Bud was also involved in service with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Toys for Manhattan in the 2000s.
Bud was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan.
Bud’s hobbies included woodworking, yard work and computer webpage design, as well as spending time with his grandchildren.
Bud was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and a faithful friend to his Farm Bureau associates and will be missed by all who knew him.
His loving wife, Lela survives of the home. Additional survivors include his three children: Jeffrey Gillispie and his wife JoAnn of Bartlesville, OK, Bradley Gillispie and his wife Judy of Colorado Springs, CO, and Lori Lee and her husband Ryan of DeSoto, KS; one brother Eldon “Buck” Gillispie and his wife Betty Kay of Cortland, OH; seven grandchildren: Janelle Gillispie (NV Ozmus), Julia McKenzie (Matt), Jonathan Gillispie, Stephanie Gillispie, Jennifer Kahoe (Cooper), Travis Gillispie, and Kendra Lee; and two great-grandchildren: William and Beau McKenzie.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Arnold, Melvin, Lloyd and Lyle Gillispie, Vera Bova and Velma Barrick.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. Sunday, November 26th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Bud’s Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 27th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverends Diana Chapel and Donna Voteau officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Manhattan Lions Club. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.