Dr. Charles Braselton Gillespie

Charles Braselton Gillespie, M.D., 89, of Albany, died on Friday, November 22, 2024. Dr. Gillespie (affectionately known as “Dr. G.”) was born in Franklin, North Carolina on September 20, 1935, the son of the late Charles Ridley Gillespie, M.D. and Rosalyn Braselton Gillespie. In 1953 he graduated from the George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel, Mississippi. In 1957, he earned a B.S. in Biology (1957) and in 1961 a Doctor of Medicine from Emory University. His primary post-graduate training was at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital in General Orthopedic Surgery. More specialized training occurred at Oswestry Robert Jones and Agnes Hospital and Wrightington Hospitals in England, Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden, and the A.O. Institute, in Davos, Switzerland. Dr. Gillespie and his wife have lived in Albany since 1966 when he began his surgical practice as an Orthopedic surgeon. He later founded the Albany Orthopedic Clinic, more recently known as the Albany Orthopedic Center. In the mid-1970s, he was awarded Fellowships in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American and International College of Surgeons. In 1972 after being appointed as the first director of the Emergency program by Governor Jimmy Carter, Dr. Gillespie provided the initial leadership to develop the local and statewide Emergency Medical Service programs. In recent years, the Georgia Legislature designated him as the “Grandfather of E.M.S” for his pioneering work in the E.M.S. program. He was also recognized as the designer of Georgia E.M.T.’s identification patches. He was the co-author of the first Cardiac Technician Curriculum that was used for many years by EMS educators throughout the nation. Of particular note was his authorship of the Emergency Medical Technicians Oath and Prayer, published in most of the E.M.T. Training textbooks and used as part of the ethical training courses in EMS systems worldwide. In addition to his E.M.S. service, he received numerous local and state awards. The most notable was the Medical Association of Georgia’s 1995 Lamartine Hardman Cup, the highest award presented to a Georgia Physician. In 2009, after receiving the Department of Defense’s/U.S. Navy/Marine Corps 2009 Fisher Humanitarian Award, he was given the honorary title of “Civilian Marine’ by the Logistics Systems Commander of the Albany Marine Base. As a result of his work in different organizations, over the years he was awarded the Albany Lions Club Citizen of the Year award, Exchange Club’s Golden Deeds Award, Sertoma Clubs of Albany Service to Mankind Award, Governor of Georgia’s Volunteer Service Award, Executive Commendation Award for E.M.S. work, the Georgia Legislature Commendation of E.M.S. Work on the E.M.T. Oath, the Georgia E.M.S. Worker of Year Award, Southwest Georgia E.M.S. Director';s Appreciation Award, Georgia Ambulance and Rescue Association Award, First Annual John B. O’Neal E.M.S. Pioneer Award, Georgia Association of Emergency Services Chairman’s Award, Georgia Association of E.M.T.’s designation of the “Charles B. Gillespie, M.D. Medical Directors Award”, Department of Defense Certificate of Commendation on E.M.S./M.A.S.T., Helicopter Service, Dougherty County Commission Service Award, Citizens Advisory Committee Service Appreciation Award, Board of Education Athletic Service Appreciation Award, Albany Chamber of Commerce 10 year Service to the Governor’s Military Affairs Committee, appointments as Lt. Colonels on Governor George Busbee and Zell Miller’s staff, and in November 2008. the Albany Vocational College’s designation of the “Charles B. Gillespie, M.D. First Responder Training Center” building and was subsequently designated as their “Roastee for 2010”. Dr. G was also known as an accomplished photographer, a skill that he steadily improved by attending many workshops throughout the country, such as the Ansel Adams’s Yosemite and DeWitt Jones’s Maine Photography Courses. His photographic portfolio includes images from all but one of the United States and more than sixty countries. During trips to Australia, New Zealand, and several tours in Alaska, he traveled with his long-time friend author/photographer, the late Bill Thomas. During a visit to his home studio one would see exhibited on a wall many ribbons and awards for his photography, including one for the Georgia Council on Humanities -Traveling Exhibit Award during the 1992 Olympics and for an exhibit in the Governor’s Office in 1994. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rosalyn Gillespie, sister-in-law, Jane Dennard, brothers-in-law, Bob Dennard, David Thomas, and Jesse Sparkman, and his son-in-law Steve Baker. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Raines Gillespie, son Rickey Gillespie (Katrin), daughter Kathy Baker Estep (Woody), granddaughters Raines Baker and Ridley Baker, and his sister Ann Sparkman. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 29th from 4:00 until 5:30 PM at Kimbrell-Stern. Those desiring may make donations to Albany Technical College Foundation (First Responder Program) at 1707 South Slappey Boulevard, Albany, Georgia 31701, or to your favorite charity.

Dr. Charles Braselton Gillespie

September 20, 1935 - November 22, 2024