Van E. Spradley, CDR USN (Ret.) took his final flight on May 20, 2018. Born to Margaret and Clarence Spradley on November 17, 1927 near Bethune, South Carolina he began a lifelong quest for adventure, excellence and leadership opportunities. Van enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and began a 30 year career of faithful military service to our country. Working hard to move from Apprentice Seaman to Officer his career spanned jobs from Ground Controlled Approach Operator, Naval Pilot, Prop and Jet Instructor, Shipboard Flight Instructor, NASA Airborne Air Boss for Apollo 11 and 12 Recovery Missions and finally the Executive Officer of Midway Island NAS. In addition to many duty stations in the Pacific, West and East coasts he served aboard three aircraft carriers: the USS Philippine Sea ('53-'54), USS Yorktown ('59-'62) and USS Hornet ('68-'70).
Besides a fulfilling military career, his life was enriched by wife Jaynes 'Jan' (Snellgrove) and the family they raised globally plus here in Spokane. As well, he earned a BA in Political Science, attended Post Graduate school, was a 32nd degree Mason, Retired Officers Association member and belonged to the Order of Daedalians. In his busy retirement Van enjoyed all the Spokane area had to offer...hunting, fishing, camping and was an active member of many local clubs. He and Jan also enjoyed travelling regularly after the children were grown.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Jan; twin daughters Karen Marshall and her husband John of Spokane (daughter Chelsea Marshall), Diane Nichols and her husband Ken of Apple Valley, California (daughter Julie Smith, son Sean Ohlsen) and son Michael Spradley and his wife Molly of Spokane (daughter Elizabeth {Spradley} Regalado and her husband Eric, and son Samuel Spradley). He will be fondly remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather of five, great-grandfather of three and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Margaret and sister Margie (Spradley) Gilley.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Spokane and the kind staff of Rockwood Retirement Community for the compassionate care they provided to both Van and Jan in the past few years.
A celebration of Van's remarkable life, including Military Honors, will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at the Pines Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 1402 S. Pines Rd. in Spokane Valley, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Van's name to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210 or to the Spokane Veterans Home, 222 East 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99202. To express condolences or share memories please visit www.ballanddodd.com .
