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Herb Gillespie
March 1, 1950 — November 8, 2025
Roosevelt, Utah
Herbert W. Gillespie, age 75, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, in Salt Lake City, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 1, 1950, to Joel N. and Barbara B. Gillespie. He graduated from Fairfield High School in California in 1968. Growing up, Herb loved playing sports and "affectionately" picking on his younger brothers.
Herb’s life was marked by a deep commitment to his faith, family, and community. From 1970 to 1972, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints in Northern Germany. Upon his return, he pursued his education at Brigham Young University and went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Duke University.
On October 4, 1979, Herb married the love of his life, Carol Winterton, in the Manti Utah Temple. When he proposed, she agreed on the condition that they would one day serve a couples mission together.
Together, they built a life centered on family and service. He dedicated his career to the law and his community, most notably serving as Roosevelt City Attorney, Duchesne County Attorney, and Chairman of the Utah Prosecution Council. He was a member of the Utah State Bar, California State Bar, and the Supreme Court Bar of the United States.
A man of unwavering faith, Herb loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. This passion culminated in a second mission, fulfilling the promise he and Carol made to each other years earlier. They served as a senior missionary couple, beginning their service from home during the pandemic on June 8, 2020, and later arriving in the Alpine German Speaking Mission on July 29, 2021. They concluded their mission on July 8, 2023.
More than any professional or academic achievement, Herb's greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a man of profound integrity known by all for his honesty and love for others. He cherished spending time with his family, whether it was gathering for holidays, listening to Carol sing, enjoying the yearly family tradition of Christmas caroling, watching a good movie on Friday nights, or cheering enthusiastically for his alma maters, BYU and Duke.
Herb is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Carol W. Gillespie; his eight children: Anthon (Sammy) Gillespie, Joel (Julie) Gillespie, Eva (Danny) Gillespie-Larsen, Hyrum (Tasha) Gillespie, John (Stephany) Gillespie, Mary Julia (Josh) Harris, Barbara Jo (Miguel) Ramos, and Seth Gillespie. He was a proud grandfather to 17 grandchildren, with two more on the way. He is also survived by his brothers, Craig Gillespie and Kurt Gillespie, both of Fairfield, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Tony Peers.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Roosevelt 11th Ward Chapel (250 W 200 N). There will be a viewing on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and on Saturday prior to the service at the church from 10-10:45 a.m.
Burial will be in the Roosevelt Memorial Park.
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Bill Zuerner (1968)
Herb was a kind fellow in 1968 and it seems he continued as a kind man for all the years since.
RIP Herb, glad to have known you.
Bill Zuerner
Lance Curkendall (1968)
Herb and I were classmates for the last three years of high school and in its first graduating class. I count myself lucky to have known him and shared some very good times. Rest well my friend.
Lance Curkendall '68
Paul Murgatroyd (1968)
I'll always remember Herb for his fairness and having my back covered more than once. I'll also remember him being flumoxed by being once asked "What is Truth, Justice, and the American Way" during a discussion group that we both attended, after stating that that was his belief. Herb was quiet for awhile after that, which was to all who knew Herb, which was not normal for him. I know Herb lived his life by trying to fulfill that premise, and though I have not seen nor talked to him for many years, the world has been blessed by his prescence in it and I will miss it. Peace be with you... murg
Mark Delaney (1968)
Herb Gillespie was a man of many talents. He had the ability and determination to be a straight A student.I'm sure he excelled in his pursuit of higher education also. He was a very good athlete,playing and doing well in many sports. He was a starting End on the football team for all four years. I was fortunate enough to be a teammate of his on all of those teams. He was also a member of student government, being elected student body president at least two times. His speeches at pep rallys were always humorous and inspiring. With all his talent and successes, he was a very down to earth and friendly classmate and teammate. On a personal note, we both lived in Green Valley as Freshmen. Even though my family moved back to town at the start of our Sophmore year,he wlways refferred to me as a "fellow valley man." I feel very sad for his family to loose a fantastic husband and father ,which I understand he was. Since high school we only saw each other at school reunions. Wherever we go when we die, I hope I will have the chance to meet up with my friend,Herb Gillespie. Rest in peace,
Cynda (Cyndi) Collins (Arsenault) (1968)
I went to the Junior Prom with Herb. He broke his leg in the football game just before the prom but he still showed up for the prom. What a gentleman! Only now when I think of it, I realize how much pain he had to have been in.
I had the good luck to see him later in Provo and meet his wonderful family. So much love!
Steven Strickland (1968)
Herb was a true friend to me and my family. His passing caught my wife and I totally off-guard. It was only a few months ago that we spoke with him and all seemed well, except for the usual aches and pains. When his wife contacted us, shortly before he died, it caught as by surprise and hit us like a brick.
I have many memories of Herb, his friendship and kindness, and the way he made you feel around him. One of the more comical memories had to do with getting in trouble in German class. Our teacher was late and so we closed the blinds and each held a classroom door so that it wouldn't open. As a result, I received a week of picking up trash around the school yard. I think Herb did, as well, but after a day or so he found a way to get out of it. I ended up looking for another class to take for the next semester and ended up as a Chemistry Lab Assistant to Mr. Sheldon.
I pray that Carol (wife) and the children will be supported and sustained. They need the prayers of everyone at this time in their lives.
Mick McGee (1968)
Herb's death also me hit hard. He was a dear friend.
When I heard the news of his passing, I took a moment to remember all the fun we had at FHS. We were in student government and sports together. For being such a brainiac, he had a such a fun and mischieveous side to him. After the second two-a-day football practice, we would go to the A&W Rootbeer drive-in and drink a quart of root beer all at once and compete on the largest burp. He once threw a football into a huddle Coach Thomas was holding and hit him on the head. Herb ran laps until practice was over. Herb loved my Mom's cooking and came by to say hi during our evening dinner time. We introduced him to fortune cookies. We laughed when he ate the cookie without discovering the fortune inside.
As others have commented, Herb was a thoughtful and kind gentleman. He was a loving son, an inspriational and whimisical big brother, a loving and devoted husband, a wonderful and generous father and grandfather, and a guiding light to all that considered him a friend. I will miss his hard handshake and ready smile. I miss him now.
Talmadge Wright (1968)
I was saddened to hear of Herb's passing. We talked at one of our last high school reunions a few years ago. And, as always he was the most grascious, kind and open person I knew then as he was when we were at Fairfield High. While we moved in differents he was always interested in the sciences and always opened to new ideas and new ways of thinking. He was a good man.