Mr. Geoffrey Gillespie, 66, of Charlotte, NC, passed away at his residence on Friday, September 13, 2024.  

   Geoffrey Winston Gillespie was born in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina on October 16, 1957, and departed this life on September 13, 2024. Geoffrey was the son of Mrs. Loretta Gillespie and the late Mr. Charles Gillespie. 

    As a youth, Geoffrey accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior. He was a lifetime member of Statesville Avenue Presbyterian Church.

   He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School, Class of 1975. Upon graduation, he attended UNC- Greensboro where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Fine Arts Degree.

   Geoffrey “Coach G” gave 38 years of service to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, spending his early career at James Alexander Middle School and then moving over to North Mecklenburg High School. At both schools, he was a talented art teacher, mentor, beloved colleague, and coach. Along with his passion for teaching students various forms of art, Geoffrey was a freelance photographer who captured special moments and action shots for student athletes, often providing those to the yearbook and local newspapers. 

   At Alexander Middle School, “Coach G” served as the head coach for both the boys baseball team and the girls basketball team. He then served as the head baseball coach at North Mecklenburg High from 1993 to 2001, with a career record of 127-74, winning three conference championships and three conference tourney titles. He was the junior varsity girls basketball coach and varsity assistant from 1993 to 2015. Upon retiring in 2015, Coach G remained on the North Meck sideline as a volunteer girls basketball assistant coach until his passing. He will forever be a North Meck Viking!

   Geoffrey was a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend who will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He had a very positive influence on the youth who knew and loved him as “Coach G.”