Life story prepared by his loving family: Arthur "Art" Gray Gillispie, 74, passed away at Sterling Nursing Home in Bel Air, MD October 15th, 2023 after a long battle with various health issues and late stage dementia. Art, the single son of four children, was born in Elkins, NC, July 25th, 1949. He moved around throughout his childhood but was in Baltimore, MD when he was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the states he was honorably discharged from the military and after a short stint working at a Baltimore beer distributor started his lifelong career with the phone company at Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P). He married his wife Regina and moved his family to Delta, PA to raise their two daughters, Dawn and Debra. Over his career, C&P changed hands until becoming part of Verizon, and that's where he was working in Bel Air, MD for his first retirement. That was short lived and he returned as a contractor working on Aberdeen Proving Ground doing similar work for many more years until he actually retired.

Art is survived by his two daughters Dawn Van Pelt and Debra (Don) Salamon; four grandchildren Julia and Jacob Van Pelt, and Frankie and Betty Salamon; prior wife Regina (Joseph) Novak; and sisters Theresa (James) Beck and Robin Flowers.

Those that knew Art as a teenager and young man, likely have some wild stories they could share with you about those days, but will save those for another time. After moving to PA and having his two daughters, Art eventually gave up drinking and focused on providing for his family. Outside of work he loved to go hunting, fishing, and on family trips to Ocean City and Deep Creek Lake. What he loved most though, were his daughters and eventually grandchildren. Though he didn't grow up with much, he went out of his way to make sure his girls had everything they needed and then some. College had been something he had dreamed of, and he made that a reality for both his girls. After his children moved out he spent more time with his friends and was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He got more involved with the sprint car races he always loved to watch by serving on a pit crew. He continued to watch Nascar and rooted for Jeff Gordon and collected model cars. He loved breakfast at Delta Family Restaurant, taking pictures, building train sets, flying drones, and working out in the garage on classic cars. A lot of these hobbies and interactions got him the nickname Sarge. While he had a heart of gold, he could be a quite stubborn and argumentative man. Just as he was always at every event for his daughters, he showed the same support for his grandchildren, until he no longer could because of his deteriorating health.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from Noon until 3:00 pm at The Peach Bottom Inn, 6085 Delta Road, Delta, PA.

He wouldn't be interested in flowers, but he got great joy in not just giving to his own children and grandchildren, but to any kid. His eyes always brightened when he could give a gift or sugary treat to a child. He never wanted anything for himself and instead preferred to help anyone in need. So if you'd like to donate in his honor, please consider giving a donation to Mason-Dixon Community Services.

Arrangements entrusted to Harkins Funeral Home, Inc., of Delta, PA.