1949
Rev.
2012
Rev. Bob Gelsthorpe
January 15, 1949 — December 10, 2012
Rev. Bob Gelsthorpe, “Pastor Bob”, of 1732 Fall Creek Church Road, Bennett, North Carolina, was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 10, 2012 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Pastor Bob was the 3rd of 4 children born to the late Joe and Louise Gelsthorpe of Phoenix, Arizona. He is a graduate of Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado and Denver Baptist Bible College.
He preached his first gospel message when he was 16 years old and continued his ministry until the day he passed away. He planted and pastored Columbine Hills Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, Maranatha Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana, and North Platte Baptist Church in North Platte, Nebraska. He has been the pastor of Fall Creek Baptist Church in Bennett for the past 10 years.
He was a staunch defender in the battle for Christian education in the 1980’s which enabled thousands of children across the United States to receive a Christian education without government indoctrination. Because of his courage, he was the recipient of the Defender of the Faith Award given by Bob Jones University in 1986.
He is survived by his wife of 43 Years, Jolene Gamble Gelsthorpe of the home.; daughters, Jamie G. Hicks and husband, Samuel , of Ramseur; Julie S. Parker and husband, Michael , of Trinity; Jodie G. Allmon and husband, Scott , of Easley, South Carolina; Bobie G. Puckett and husband, Robert , of Simpsonville, South Carolina; sons, John D. Gelsthorpe and wife, Faith , of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Ben Troutman and wife, Tracy , of Asheboro.
One of his greatest joys in life was fishing with his 15 grandchildren, Chrissy Parker, Kaelynn Hicks, Matthew Parker, BreAnna Hicks, Braxton Allmon, Ashton Troutman, Abby Hicks, Dae Troutman, Bryson Puckett, Samantha Hicks, Brylie Allmon, Jackson Allmon, Hannah Hicks, Brielle Puckett, and JoAnna Gelsthorpe.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Fall Creek Baptist Church, Bennett, North Carolina and other times at the home. A funeral service is planned for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Fall Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Neal Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Fall Creek Baptist Church Playground Fund or the North Carolina Baptist Hospital Mother’s Day Offering (through Fall Creek Baptist Church), which helps offset the hospital expenses of Southern Baptist pastors. You may offer online condolences at www.joycebradychapel.com
Joyce-Brady Chapel is serving the Gelsthorpe family.
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