Robert Rudolph Spurling Jr.

Spurling Robert Rudolph Spurling Jr., 80, of Norris, Tenn., died on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Born in Fairfax, South Dakota, he was raised in Ronceverte/White Sulpher Springs, W.Va., and graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1948. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. After graduating from West Virginia University in 1957 with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering, he worked for 45 years as a chemical engineer for Olin Chemicals in Saltville, and Amoco Chemicals in Joliet, Ill., and Decatur, Ala. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Rudolph Spurling Sr., and stepfather and mother, Edward and Edna Johnson Shires. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Phyllis Lowery; their sons, Robert Rudolph III and Curtis Leroy; Robert's wife, Heidl Weiffenbach and their children, Robert Jackson, Caroline Christian, and Curtis Maclean; his sister, Jane Shires Radabaugh and husband, Roy and their family; and brother, Thomas Edward (Tommy) Shires and his wife, Martha and family. He had a lifelong interest in hunting, but his passion was his grandchildren. Jackson, his 12-year-old grandson, summed up his feelings for his grandfather this way: "If you think you've met someone who's as fun and playful as can be, think again! His grandchildren have gone to visit and have come home so happy and tickled. In my opinion, PaPaw should have pursued a late career of how to teach people how to be a fun grandpa." In accordance with his wishes, his ashes will be spread by the family, and there was no funeral or memorial service. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Davis-Stuart Inc., a Presbyterian residential care home and farm for adolescents: RR 02 Box 188A, Lewisburg, W. a. 24901-9320. This is a courtesy announcement by Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, Clinton, Tenn.