Colonel Harry Alvin Spannaus

Colonel Harry Alvin Spannaus was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota on September 1, 1930. He was an avid high school athlete having lettered in football, basketball, track, hockey, golf, and participated in Golden Gloves boxing. He attended the University of Minnesota and earned a sports letter in diving. Spannaus held a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a military comparable Master’s Degree in Military Science and was an outstanding graduate of the Air Force War College.

Colonel Spannaus took his military flying training as an USAF Aviation Cadet. He graduated in the top of his class from flying school and was sent to fighter gunnery training to prepare for a combat tour in Korea. Following his Korean assignment he spent the next 25 years in 22 different locations, both overseas and stateside.  On January 1, 1978, having earned the rank of Colonel, he retired from the Air Force after serving for over 26 years.

Colonel Spannaus held 37 military decorations for heroic flight and distinguished service including two Legion of Merits, three distinguished flying crosses, one with valor, the Bronze Star with valor, 16 Air Medals, and the Army and Air Force Commendation medals, as well as the Top Gun award.  During the Korean and Vietnam wars he flew 239 jet fighter combat missions. Spannaus had accumulated over 12,000 hours of flying time in military fighters and corporate aircraft. In 2001, he was presented with the highest award bestowed by the National Association of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the DAR Medal of Honor.

Following his retirement and his tour of duty as Wing Commander of the 78th Flying Training Wing at Webb AFB, Colonel Spannaus worked with the city of Big Spring to assist in the conversion of the closed Webb Air Force Base into a municipal airport and an industrial airpark. After a brief employment in Dallas, he moved to Midland in 1981, accepting the position of aviation department manager for Hilliard Oil and Gas. In 1985, Colonel Spannaus became Executive Vice President for the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, a position he held for 10 years before becoming manager of corporate services for Pioneer Natural Resources. After a brief retirement, he worked several years for Discovery Operating Inc. in Midland.

As a strong proponent of civic involvement, Colonel Spannaus served in numerous capacities on numerous boards: the Permian Basin International Oil Show, the Midland Downtown Lions Club, the CAF as a life member, the Airport Advisory Board, and Elder at First Presbyterian Church, He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, MS Society, the Midland County District Attorney’s office, Midland Need to Read, and the Petroleum Museum. He served as director of the Big Spring Hanger 25 Air Museum, and was a founding member of the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM and a life member of the NRA. Spannaus was honored by the CAF in tribute to and dedication of the CAF Vietnam Veteran Airmen’s aircraft display, which he helped organize, design, and raise funds.

Colonel Spannaus was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, of 41 years in 1994. He is survived by his daughters, Terri Dunn (Tim), Kathi Prescott (Glenn), and one son, Mark Spannaus (Jill). He has 10 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Services will be at First Presbyterian Church of Midland on February 5th at 3 PM.  Pallbearers are his 5 grandsons as well as a military honor guard from Goodfellow AFB. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Mary Spannaus Medical Education Memorial Fund of the PBAF, First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Hospice of Midland or Manor Park.

The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 4, 2022 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.