Russell "Skip" R. Spurrier

Russell Ralph “Skip” Spurrier, 78, of La Junta passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at the Pioneer Health Care Center in Rocky Ford, Colorado. He was born June 5, 1933 in North Platte, Nebraska to Richard G. and Vera K. (Olsen) Spurrier. He married Yvonne B. Shappell on December 5, 1962 in Evanston, Wyoming; Yvonne preceded him in death on December 18, 1986, as well as his second wife Jane Dunn, in Phoenix, AZ.

Russell served in the United States Army from 1954 to1955. He was member of the 10th Mounted Division at Ft. Carson and was honorably discharged from the 35th Quarter Master Company, which was the last active horse and mule artillery pack company in the U.S. Army. Russell was a life member of the Benevolent Order of the Eagles in Commerce City where he cherished his friendships with fellow members. He was also an RCA card holder in the 1950’s and bulldogged for a few years, before it became The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.  He was friends with many of the old time cowboys of his day and continued to follow the sport’s evolution with great interest. Russell was also a smart horseman with a great ability to recall detailed information on the breeding and performance of both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse breeds. He especially loved horseracing, owning and racing several over the years. He loved to ride and eagerly taught his children to do so also. Russell was a great history buff and enjoyed western movies and listening to most kinds of music from big band to Sinatra, old-time cowboy and contemporary country and had a great appreciation for western art and anything else that was part of a cowboys’ western way of life. “Skip”, as he was known, by his close friends loved to socialize, travel, and engage in new adventures, even up to his last months. Skip owned and operated an auto dealership in Denver in the late 50’s and he continued to deal and trade in various modes of transportation and other items throughout his life. He loved to visit with people and was always eager to find an opportunity to conduct business wherever he went. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed sharing his memories of his early days growing up in Cheyenne, WY, and his experiences throughout the years, with friends and family. He also dearly loved his many canine companions he had had during his life, especially his last red heeler, Rosie. Skip developed a more personal relationship with the Lord in his later years and was not in fear of meeting his Maker as he had long ago accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He had also raised his children to know the Christian faith, to which they have greatly benefitted.

Russell is survived by his children Kathy A. Parrish, of Enid, OK, Richard G. Spurrier of Grand Junction, CO, and Joanie Elmore of California; grandchildren Zachary (Questa) Parrish of Rocky Ford, CO, Kit Parrish of Ft. Collins, CO, Tyler Parrish of La Junta, CO, Ashley Griffin of Greeley, CO, as well as one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ft. Lyon National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on Friday, at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

   

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.