Gladstone Spalding Sr.

Gladstone B Spalding passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on July 28, 2022. Gladstone was born on September 17, 1946 in Canal Zone, Panama to his parents George and Sabina Spalding. He was one of thirteen siblings. Since childhood Gladstone enjoyed the sport of baseball. He also had a love of music. He was a trained musician who played several instruments such as the saxophone, clarinet, and the flute. He graduated from Rainbow City High School.

Shortly after he met and fell in love with his beautiful wife Claudette. They married on June 20,1968 and the couple had three children together Adilma, Olivia and Gladstone Spalding. Gladstone was an excellent provider for his family while serving his country in the military. Gladstone was a decorated veteran who served in the United States Army for 22 years earning the rank of Sergeant first class E7. He had the honor of serving as a Military Police Officer. During his military career he was stationed at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey. Gladstone and Claudette decided to settle their family in close by Willingboro, NJ. Once he retired from the military Gladstone spent the next 22 years as a correctional office at Rahway State Prison. He spent his life making sure his entire family was well taken care of. Gladstone and Claudette were the patriarch and matriarch of their entire family and extended family. Their home was the beacon of hope for many family members who desired to leave Panama and begin a more prosperous life in the United States. They took on the responsibility of raising their nieces and nephews along with a host of other family members and when their own daughter Adilma suddenly became sick shortly after giving birth to her two children Amanda and Michael , Gladstone and Claudette stepped in to become the legal guardians of their grandchildren and raised them as their own.

There was no limit to the love and generosity this couple spread amongst their family. With a lifetime of caring for others Gladstone finally retired and he and Claudette settled in Riverview, Florida. They spent 11 years there together until Claudette past away on May 19, 2021. Shortly afterwards, the couples second born daughter Olivia joined her mother in heaven on July 12, 2021.

Our family finds comfort in knowing that he has now been reunited with his wife Claudette and daughter Olivia along with all of his family that has past on. Gladstone is survived by his children Adilma and Gladstone Spalding (Mytza) Grandchildren Amanda Martin (Javonn) Michael Spalding, Kayla Smith, Joseph Smith, Gladstone Elijah Spalding, Shallah Spalding. Great - Grandchildren Aaron Spalding, Justin Martin, Michael Lorenzo Spalding, Mya Spalding, Julian Smith, Zoey Sadler, Apollo Sadler. His siblings Vilma and Ricardo Spalding along with a host of other family and friends to share fond memories.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Spalding family.