Paul Alan Gillespie (Coach Gillespie) was born in Provo, Utah February 18, 1945 to Wilma Wiscombe and James Robert Gillespie. He peacefully passed away in his Pleasant Grove home, Wednesday, March 7, 2018. 

Coach Gillespie graduated from Orem High School, Ricks College, and later from Brigham Young University. Always a lover of sports, he participated in high school and college football, wrestling and track. He was a devoted father, teacher, coach and friend.

He married JoAnn Bellows on April 4, 1968 and was a devoted husband until her death in November 2015. He married Marianne Rees on April 21, 2017. Marianne was devoted to Paul and continually cheered him on throughout his illness. She truly brought love, life and joy into his life.

Paul was an dedicated teacher and coach for 42 years, teaching in high schools in Pleasant Grove, Provo, Timpview, Orem, Murray, Cedar and American Leadership Academy. Coach Gillespie has influenced the lives of over 20,000 students throughout his career.

Paul served a mission in London, England from 1966 to 1968. He was also a high councilman and bishop in a BYU stake, a branch president in the Provo MTC. Paul worked hard and never gave up. As a father of eight children, he taught them how to work. He built three homes and valued yard work:  irrigation boots and work gloves were a regular part of his wardrobe.

 Paul is survived by his wife, Marianne, his children, Kimberly (Brad) Anderson, Stephanie (Andrew) Horton, LauraLee, Kelly, Kerri (Matthew) Larsen, Kristopher (Michelle), Julie (Jeffrey) LeCheminant, Spencer (Angie), Emily (Josh) Peay, 31 grandchildren, 1 1/2 great grandchildren, sister, Mary Taylor, brothers, Robert, Richard, John and Jeff Gillespie. He is preceded in death by wife, JoAnn, sister, Petrea Kelly, brother, William Gillespie and parents, James Robert and Wilma Gillespie.