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James Earl “Jim” Spangler

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James Earl “Jim” Spangler

Birth
Leonard, Fannin County, Texas, USA
Death
30 Jun 2011 (aged 89)
Greenville, Hunt County, Texas, USA
Burial
Leonard, Fannin County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
July 2, 2011
Jim Spangler

Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE — James Earl "Jim" Spangler, 89, passed away June 30, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jim was born the youngest of seven children October 21, 1921, in Leonard to Oscar and Ola Spangler. He attended Hopewell, a small country school through eighth grade, then graduated from Leonard High School in 1939.

After graduation, Mr. Spangler worked in the C.C.C. camps in several states, then went on to join the U.S. Coast Guard after Pearl Harbor was attacked. With both older brothers already serving in the armed forces, his mother advised him to join the Coast Guard because they protected our shores. He served as a radar communications specialist aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. Peterson (DE-152). Jim ended up making 11 round trips to Europe on the U.S.S. Peterson. When the Germans surrendered, his ship was reassigned to the Pacific theater until the end of World War II. After several months of being home, he decided to re-enlist in the Coast Guard and serve another tour of duty.

Upon leaving the service, Mr. Spangler worked various jobs until he became a skilled machinist and retired from the profession in 1983.

He married Boots Lindsey, the love of his life, on April 4, 1959. They began their marriage as a blended family. He had two girls and a boy and she had two girls and two boys. Several years later, their family expanded once more when they opened their hearts and home to include a 16-year-old son. They had 47 fun-filled and devoted years together. If they weren't playing dominoes, cards, croquet or going bowling, they were camping. The last 25 years of marriage, their home was in Culleoka, where they were members of Culleoka Baptist Church.

He will be remembered as a loving husband and devoted family man. He was kind, soft-hearted and a true gentleman. His deep and abiding faith served as a great example for all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his wife Boots.

He is survived by his children, Claudia Monroe of Garland, Mike Crank and wife Karen of McKinney, Dee Holt and husband Gary of Greenville, Ray Turner of Royse City, Cathy Gilbert and husband Billy of Leonard, Jim Taylor Spangler of Vancouver, Wash., James Earl (Butch) Spangler Jr. and life partner Ron of Addison and Connie Spencer of Princeton. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Vibrant Home Health for the loving care he received in his final years. Also, to Hospice Plus for making it possible for our father to spend his last hours in his home comfortable and peaceful and surrounded by his family.

All friends are welcome to join his family in a celebration of his life from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Dee and Gary Holt at 2115 Walworth St. in Greenville.

A military graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at East Shady Grove Cemetery west of Leonard, with Herb Spangler, nephew, officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Quinlan Funeral Home in Quinlan.
July 2, 2011
Jim Spangler

Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE — James Earl "Jim" Spangler, 89, passed away June 30, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jim was born the youngest of seven children October 21, 1921, in Leonard to Oscar and Ola Spangler. He attended Hopewell, a small country school through eighth grade, then graduated from Leonard High School in 1939.

After graduation, Mr. Spangler worked in the C.C.C. camps in several states, then went on to join the U.S. Coast Guard after Pearl Harbor was attacked. With both older brothers already serving in the armed forces, his mother advised him to join the Coast Guard because they protected our shores. He served as a radar communications specialist aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. Peterson (DE-152). Jim ended up making 11 round trips to Europe on the U.S.S. Peterson. When the Germans surrendered, his ship was reassigned to the Pacific theater until the end of World War II. After several months of being home, he decided to re-enlist in the Coast Guard and serve another tour of duty.

Upon leaving the service, Mr. Spangler worked various jobs until he became a skilled machinist and retired from the profession in 1983.

He married Boots Lindsey, the love of his life, on April 4, 1959. They began their marriage as a blended family. He had two girls and a boy and she had two girls and two boys. Several years later, their family expanded once more when they opened their hearts and home to include a 16-year-old son. They had 47 fun-filled and devoted years together. If they weren't playing dominoes, cards, croquet or going bowling, they were camping. The last 25 years of marriage, their home was in Culleoka, where they were members of Culleoka Baptist Church.

He will be remembered as a loving husband and devoted family man. He was kind, soft-hearted and a true gentleman. His deep and abiding faith served as a great example for all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his wife Boots.

He is survived by his children, Claudia Monroe of Garland, Mike Crank and wife Karen of McKinney, Dee Holt and husband Gary of Greenville, Ray Turner of Royse City, Cathy Gilbert and husband Billy of Leonard, Jim Taylor Spangler of Vancouver, Wash., James Earl (Butch) Spangler Jr. and life partner Ron of Addison and Connie Spencer of Princeton. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Vibrant Home Health for the loving care he received in his final years. Also, to Hospice Plus for making it possible for our father to spend his last hours in his home comfortable and peaceful and surrounded by his family.

All friends are welcome to join his family in a celebration of his life from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Dee and Gary Holt at 2115 Walworth St. in Greenville.

A military graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at East Shady Grove Cemetery west of Leonard, with Herb Spangler, nephew, officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Quinlan Funeral Home in Quinlan.


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  • Maintained by: Arkieologist
  • Originally Created by: mac
  • Added: Jul 3, 2011
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72516311/james_earl-spangler: accessed ), memorial page for James Earl “Jim” Spangler (21 Oct 1921–30 Jun 2011), Find a Grave Memorial ID 72516311, citing East Shady Grove Cemetery, Leonard, Fannin County, Texas, USA; Maintained by Arkieologist (contributor 47246586).