Lt. Col. Glen R. Spurgin

Glen Robert Spurgin was born December 19, 1922 in Hebron, Nebraska a small south central town near the Kansas border. When he was 10 years old his parents Orin and Dolly Spurgin moved the family to a farm near Republic, Kansas that his grandfather had originally purchased. The dust storms and the Great Depression of the 1930’s made farm life difficult for the family of seven. Glen and his siblings, Wesley, Irene, June and Velma all had to work the farm to help out. In 1937 with better crops and improved family income Glen was able to start high school in Republic. He did well in school and loved playing football, which would become a lifelong passion. He also met his future wife Willetta Larkins.

In 1941 he graduated from high school. Jobs in the rural area were hard to find. With his brother Wesley and life-long friend Myron Nystrom he headed to California for a chance to work in the aircraft industry. The boys arrived in Burbank, California and all quickly landed jobs. Glen began work at the Lockheed Aircraft Company where he learned airplane assembly.

By 1943 he became eligible for the draft as the country needed troops for the 2nd World War was now in full force. In February he volunteered for the Army Air Corps and started basic training in Lincoln, Nebraska. Afterward he attended three months of flight school and aircraft maintenance in Wayne, Nebraska. He also attended additional training in Morse code in Santa Ana, California before finally ending up in Glendale, Arizona at famed Thunderbird field. It was here that he trained to fly in multiple aircraft including a C 46, a BT-13, and the AT-6.

In 1945 he was transferred to Marfa, Texas and in March while on leave he married his high school sweetheart Willetta. They set up housekeeping on the air base and started their 64 year marriage until Willetta passed away in 2009.

1946 saw Glen assigned to overseas duty in Japan where he spent over a year. He was in charge of assisting air corps families move to and from Japan.

With the end of the war the military began downsizing. Glen left the Air Force in 1947 and he and Willetta moved to Fort Worth Texas where he would resume his career in aircraft assembly at Convair Aircraft. They soon bought their first home on Dell Street.

Glen and Willetta’s first child, Glenda Kay was born in February 1949. Their second child Douglas Edward followed in January, 1955. Soon after, they bought their second home, a brand new house with three bedrooms and lots of room.

Unfortunately they did not stay long. Glenda’s asthma forced them to look for a better climate for her. Glen was able to transfer to the Convair plant in San Diego, California. So with a small trailer behind their car, they traveled across country to El Cajon, CA a small community east of San Diego to live.

They lived in El Cajon until 1962 when Glen was laid off from his job at Convair. He found a new job in Burbank, CA at Lockheed where he had started back in 1941. The San Fernando Valley became home where Glenda and Doug grew up and went to school. Both would go on to graduate from college. Glenda became a registered nurse and Doug a certified public accountant. Sometimes Glen had to work two jobs to make ends meet, but he never complained. In addition, Glen continued to serve his country through the Air Force Reserves. He spent many summers on two weeks of active duty. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was very proud of his service as was his entire family.

His grandsons were his pride and joy. Brian Hamburg was born to Glenda and Robert Hamburg in 1970. Gregory Spurgin, born in 1993 is the son of Douglas and Kathy Spurgin. He spoke of his family often to anyone who would listen.

Just before retiring, Glen and Willetta discovered the world of RVing. Glen wanted to buy a truck, but the one he wanted came with a cab over camper attached. They became adventurous and took the camper on several outings. They loved the lifestyle so much that over the years they owned 5 different RVs and traveled all over the USA.

When they both retired they decided to sell their home and lived in their RV full time for over seven years. They made many friends and enjoyed their free time traveling together. They often said this was the most enjoyable period of their lives.

They finally settled down again in Mesa, Arizona where Glen’s sisters and brother in laws would spend their winters away from the cold of Kansas. They continued to spend their summers on the road or in Colorado where their son and family lived. Mesa, AZ was Glen’s final home and he loved sharing it with Willetta, family and friends.

It was a good life!!