John Spang
John Harvey Spang, age 74, passed away on November 9th, 2017, in League City, Texas.
John was born on September 15th, 1943, in his family home in Lorain, Ohio to Harvey and Cathryn Spang.John was a life long lover of boating and fun. He grew up eating donuts and decorating cakes in the family run Spang Bakery. He was an Eagle Scout and played basketball. Throughout his life he loved interacting with people and the challenge of problem solving. His annual 30th Birthday celebration was an event he looked forward to celebrating, whether with cake, crazy hats, or his signature loud pants. He took advantage of the time in retirement to dote on his grandchildren, live life to the fullest, and achieve his dream of completing the America’s Great Loop with his wife, Terry.
John was active throughout his life in many organizations including Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, United States Power Squadron and American’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association.
John’s education began at Denison University in Ohio, continuing at Brown University and culminated in a long career as a geology professor first at the University of Calgary and then concluded at Texas A&M University. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering making a donation to Denison University for The Spang Prize for Excellence in Geosciences Fund (www.denison.edu/give).
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Harvey and Cathryn Spang.
He is survived by Terry Spang, wife, Bob Spang son and wife, Jill Spang, grandchildren Sarah, Will, and Katie; his brother and sister in law Hank and Joan Spang. His parents in law Jim and Carita Gould, brother in law and wife Mitch and Marianne Gould, brother in law and wife Steve and Laura Gould, and sister in law and husband Christy and Keith Linsley. And many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, beginning at 11:00. The service will be at Crowder Funeral Home located at 1645 East Main Street, League City, Texas 77573.
Sincere condolences to Terry and family he was a classmate of mine.
To this day when I go past the home on East Erie have to check it out.
Sharon,
Thanks so much. We too would always check it out when visiting Loraine. He certainly enjoyed his trips back home, especially eating fresh perch! If possible, he would eat it three meals a day.
It has been an honor to know John and his footprints are filled with excitement and inspiration in my life. Catherine Gregory
Thanks so very much for those special words, Catherine!
It is with great sadness that we learned of Dear John’s death. He was a fine and vital
part of our Sanderson Family’s life for over 20 years. We admired and loved him deeply. Our sincere sympathy to Terry, Bob and Jill and my wonderful 3 Great-grandchildren, also John’s many Spang relatives and friends.
Bobi Sanderson,daughter Chris Spang and all the Sanderson Clan.
The Sanderson’s Clan was a large and very important part of John’s life. Thanks for the kind words and shared grief.
It is with great sadness that we learned of Dear John’s death. He was a fine and vital
part of our Sanderson Family’s life for over 20 years. We admired and loved him deeply. Our sincere sympathy to Terry, Bob and Jill and my wonderful 3 Great-grandchildren, also John’s many Spang relatives and friends.
Bobi Sanderson,daughter Chris Spang and all the Sanderson Clan.
I am so sad to hear that John has passed away. I have many fond and humorous memories of John at Texas A&M. He certainly was a joy to know.
Thanks for the kind words!
Dear Terry,
I am so sorry to have heard about your husband John. I often think about you and what an inspiration you were. Reading about John, it is with regret I didn’t get to meet him, he certainly sounded like a man who lived life to the fullest and with so much zest.
My deepest sympathies.
Sophia Dunlap
Sophia,
Thanks so much! Indeed, John lived life fully and with zest. I feel blessed to have had him in my life! Thanks for the kind words!
Terry
The character of a parent is foretold by the manner in which their children talk about them and based on Bob’s previous remembrances, John Spang was a fine father and leader throughout his life in the family and in the classroom.
Rick,
Thanks for the kind words! Bob also has those same characteristics his father had!
My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Thanks so much!
So sorry to hear of John`s passing. He was a good neighbor. Sympathy to Terry, Bob and family. Glad he got to move close to the water and enjoy his boat.
Thanks so much for the kind words and wishes, Vannoy and Marilyn!
I am so sorry to read John’s obituary from many reasons. Let me begin by sending my condolences! I am a cousins of John’s and live in Cleveland. My Dad, William Leroy (Bud) Spang was the General Manager of the Cleveland plant while Harvey ran the Lorain plant. I still remember there Red Brick house on lake Road with a turret in Lorain. My family live in Bay Village. After Harvey’s death and Catherine moved away we lost total contact with John and his family. There was an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer today concerning turning the vacant Cleveland Spang Baking Plant into apartments. There was some pass history and I was able to find where John lived, thus my response today. I would love to here from you or Hank if you have any interest. I am William J. (Bill) Spang 77 years old and live in Rocky River Ohio 44116.
My sincerest condolences, though I am a year + late in sending them. Living in Pennsylvania prevents me from keeping up with some of my old texas friends and I’m just now learning of his passing. John was a friend and neighbor while living in Bryan/College Station, Tx. He was the kindest, sweetest, gentlest man ever and always full of fun, he loved everyone and everyone loved him. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I came across John’s (Spanger as we called him) in my iPhone and thought I’d give him a hello. Very saddened to come across his by obituary. Not much older than the rest of us in geology at U of C Spanger was one of us and our favourite professor.
Our bus trips to Trail BC and beyond were legendary
The bus driver announced at the beginning of the road trip that there would be no drinking on the bus. That lasted about 1 minute with Spanger right in there. We all have wonderful memories of parties at his house Spanger was the best.
Best wishes Terry from us in Calgary. Brent