Ted L. Spurlock

Born on March 7, 1938, in Versailles, Missouri, Ted was the son of Mary Lou (Baker) O’Neal and TL Spurlock. He graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1956, where he met the love of his life, Sonja Faye (Mode) Spurlock. They were married in June 1957 and celebrated 68 years of marriage earlier this year.

Ted is survived by his devoted wife, Sonja; their daughter, Taunya Lynn (Spurlock) Huggett; son-in-law, Brian Huggett; and grandsons, Ryan and Shaun Huggett. He is also survived by his brother, John Robert O’Neal (Linda); niece, Cristy Akers; and nephews, Brian O’Neal (Aun) and Josh O’Neal (Melanie). He was considered both a brother and father figure to Sonja’s surviving brothers, Ronald Mode and Jesse Smith (Brenda).

Ted began his professional journey in the retail and credit industries, holding early positions at Klines and GEM Department Stores living between Kansas City and St. Louis until 1972. In 1973, he joined JCPenney as Assistant Regional Credit Manager in Kansas City, Mo. launching a remarkable 25-year career with the company. Ted rose through the ranks in Credit and Business Services, relocating with his family to Atlanta GA, Middletown NJ (serving in New York City), and finally to Dallas TX. Among his many achievements, he led the relocation of JCPenney Credit and Consumer Banking operations to Dallas in 1986, ahead of the company’s headquarters move to Plano in 1988.

He played a pivotal role in the development and expansion of the JCPenney private label credit card and was instrumental in acquiring the renamed JCPenney National Bank in Delaware in 1982. Named Senior Vice President in 1980, Ted later assumed responsibility for Government Relations and JCPenney Insurance Companies in the U.S. and Canada. In 1995, he joined the company’s Executive Committee as Executive Vice President of Financial Services and Government Relations. He retired in 1998 at the age of 60.

Ted also gave generously of his time and leadership to numerous organizations, chairing or serving on boards including the United Way of Greater Dallas, the International Credit Association, the National Foundation for Consumer Credit, and the National Retail Merchants Association, among others.

A beloved mentor and friend to many, Ted remained closely connected to his JCPenney colleagues long after retirement.

Throughout his life, Ted cherished time with his family. He enjoyed vacations filled with camping, boating, water skiing, and snow skiing. In retirement, he and Sonja spent time at their second home in Naples, Florida, where Ted captained his 55-foot yacht, Champagne Lady, navigating the Florida coast and Bahama Islands. In 2007, they returned to Dallas to be near family, sharing more adventures through cruises to Europe, Ireland, Alaska, and the Caribbean.

Ted built lifelong friendships and left a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and generosity. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held in at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, located at 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX, 75252 on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 2:00pm. A second service and family reunion will take place in Versailles, Missouri, in late May 2026, where his ashes will be interred alongside his father, stepmother, and mother-in-law at Versailles Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the Spurlock family kindly requests donations in Ted’s memory to organizations supporting Parkinson’s disease research.

Condolences may be sent to Sonja Spurlock at 15250 Prestonwood Blvd, Apt 141, Dallas, TX 75248.