Biography: Dr. Alex Tharp Gillespie, age 87, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2012. Tharp was preceded in death by his parents, Eck and Ora Gillespie of Stamford, Texas; his wife, Miriam Smith Gillespie; and his son, Alex Tharp Gillespie, Jr. of Bentonville. A Celebration of his life will be at Second Presbyterian Church, Tuesday August 14 at 11 a.m. There will be a reception held afterwards at the Church. A private family burial with military honors will be held earlier in the day. He is survived by his wife, Jane Stewart Gillespie and his children, Catherine Talpas (John) of El Dorado, and Neil Gillespie of Little Rock and his grandchildren Miriam Gavigan (Mike), Abigail Considine (Michael), Stephan L. ?Brother? Nipper of Little Rock, Mary Tharp Talpas of El Dorado and Brianna Gillespie of Bentonville, ?Papa? considered it such a privilege to know and love his great grandchildren, Abigail James ?Jamie? Gavigan, Murphy McClellan Gavigan, Madelyn Feild Considine and Catherine Emery Considine. He is also survived by his brother, Lynn Gillespie, of Abilene, Texas, his nephews Robert Gillespie and Pat Gillespie of Abilene and his nieces Susan Jordan of Albany, Georgia, Miriam Burke of Richmond, Virginia and Anne-Marie Gillespie of Dallas. In his later years, he was blessed with the love of Jane?s children, Jane Ann Brock (Keith) of Searcy, Donald Morton (Kelly) of Des Arc, Stewart Morton (Sunny) of Des Arc and their families. Tharp was born in the tiny West Texas town of Avoca on June 29, 1925. Always the smartest in his class of 13!, he spent his freshman year at Texas Tech University. The U.S. Navy transferred him to Tulane University and he finished Medical school and college in five years with a 4.00 Average. At Tulane he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. His Naval Medical career took Tharp from Temple, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas to Albquerque, New Mexico and back to Little Rock. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS. He established his private practice with Dr. Dean Wallace and Dr. J.O. Porter in 1953 and continued to practice until his retirement in 1991. Tharp delivered over 5000 babies and was an advocate for womens? rights throughout his career. He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chief of Staff at Doctors Hospital, a member of the Arkansas Medical Society and the American Medical Society. The most important thing that empowered Tharp?s life was his commitment to the health and welfare of all people. After his retirement, Tharp and Miriam went on Medical Missionary trips to Zaire, Malawi and Haiti through the Medical Benevolence Foundation. He dedicated his time to procuring surplus medical supplies for Project Cure, traveling the state to fulfill the needs of hospitals throughout the world. In 2007 he received the Presidents award for a lifetime of contributions to the practice of medicine from the Pulaski County Medical Society. In 2009, he was honored by his church, Second Presbyterian, for his charitable work in the community and the world. Tharp?s life was propelled by his Christian faith. Second Presbyterian Church was a vital part of his life and he was devoted to it. He took great pride in the knowledge that his son, his grandchildren and their children are active members of this congregation. He awoke each day to say ?What can I do for someone today?? In lieu of flowers, please honor him by helping others. This is how he would want to be remembered. If you wish to send a donation, please consider Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR or the Medical Benevolence Society, PO Box 96877, Washington D.C. 20090. The family will be at 2 River Glen and #7 Reynard Court in Little Rock. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com