Dennis Michael “Mike” Spradling was born in Lubbock, Texas, on October 27, 1949, the second and youngest child of William “Orville” Spradling Sr. and Reta May (Bigony) Spradling. Mike spent his childhood in Lubbock, surrounded by the love and support of his parents and beloved older brother, William Orville “Rusty” Spradling Jr. Throughout his life,Continue Reading
Dennis Michael “Mike” Spradling was born in Lubbock, Texas, on October 27, 1949, the second and youngest child of William “Orville” Spradling Sr. and Reta May (Bigony) Spradling.
Mike spent his childhood in Lubbock, surrounded by the love and support of his parents and beloved older brother, William Orville “Rusty” Spradling Jr. Throughout his life, Mike adored cats and always had at least one by his side.
Mike attended Monterey High School in Lubbock until his father’s work moved the family to Costa Mesa, California, where he graduated from Estancia High School in 1968. Mike returned to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. After college, he began working for the railroad before pursuing his real passion as a pilot.
His professional aviation career began at Ridpath Aviation in 1977. Mike began flying freight in West Texas and then flew corporate Cessna Citation Jets in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. In 1983 he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico as a Citation Captain and flight instructor to a local businessman. He retired after many years of flying coast to coast into some of the busiest airports in the world.
Mike passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024. The family would like to express their gratitude to all his doctors and nurses, Jenn Lopez, El Castillo staff, and Presbyterian hospice.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Reta May Spradling, and his older brother, Rusty Spradling.
Mike is survived by his sister-in-law, Chong-Suk Spradling; his niece, Angie Spradling; his nephew, Ryan Spradling (all from Henderson, NV); and his nephew Robin Spradling (from Grants Pass, OR), as well as many extended family members.
A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, August 9, 2024 at Nally-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Big Spring, Texas. The funeral service will take place at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 10 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment will follow at Mount Olive Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mike Spradling to Feline and Friends of Santa Fe or an organization of your choosing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Dennis Michael "Mike" Spradling, please visit our Tribute Store.
Marc Bigony
left a message on August 16, 2024:
Dorothy L Rogers
left a message on August 10, 2024:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Marc Bigony
left a message on August 16, 2024:
Dorothy L Rogers
left a message on August 10, 2024:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.
