Gaylon Richard "Dick" Spradlin

USN Retired Chief Petty Officer Gaylon Richard (Dick) Spradlin, 74, of Roanoke, Va., loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away Thursday, October 30, 2008, surrounded by his family into the waiting arms of his wife and son after a long battle with Progressive Supranucler Palsy. Gaylon was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth (Sookie) Spradlin; son, Barney Fitzpatrick; father and mother, Lewis and Mae Spradlin; brothers, Donald and Barry Spradlin; brother-in-law, Alvin Hartman; and niece, Gail Lackey. Gaylon is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Teddy Spickard, and Leona and David LaPradd; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Gwen Spradlin; son, Ricky Spradlin; grandchildren, David (Cheryl) Harris, Dwayne (Lisa) Hawkins, Michelle Fitzpatrick, David (Michelle) LaPradd, Dustin LaPradd, Scott Spradlin, and Aaron Spradlin; 15 greatgrandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leslie Spradlin, Warren (Claire) Spradlin, and Glenn (Doris) Spradlin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lottie Hartman, Pearle (Norman) Quarles, Kathleen (William) Cawley, Colleen Spradlin, and Pat Spradlin; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family expresses a very special thank you to nurses, Pam, Carolyn, Pattie, Ann, Denise, social worker, Amanda, and all of the staff of 2 West at the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem for their wonderful care and support. A graveside service will be conducted 2 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2008, in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton by Pastor Troy Mays. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, 540-366-0707.