Donald Spann Obituary

How terribly sad it was to know one of the best and brightest people i've known is no longer with us. I met Don when we were children attending Augusta Circle. He was always a kind and happy person who contributed so much to this world. I join those who loved Don and considered him a fine and true friend.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing. We became close friends as members of the same platoon in G Company, USMC Basic Class 3-58. Following graduation, we were shipped in different directions but reconnected eight years down the line as neighbors in Greenville...then later for decades when Don became a client of my ad agency and marketing consulting firm. We stayed in touch even after we both "retired" so we had many discussions about his move to natural medicaments.

We had no secrets. His Christian beliefs strengthened me and all who knew him. I will miss him telling me how ugly I was but reminding me that I was still a good Marine. God bless him!

My sympathies to Betty Jo, Scott, Robin, and the grandchildren. He was a special man.

Semper fi, Marine. Step in no holes!

B.J., Scott & Robin, sending our sympathy to you all from all the Metcalf siblings, Mike, Mindy, Jeanie, Mark & Max. We have such fond memories of McCarter Ave and of course McCarter Pool!! Your family and ours spent many hours together during the summers at the pool. Don was a good friend to our dad. And B.J., mom spoke of you so often during the years. Y'all remained good friends. We are sorry none of us could attend the service last Saturday. We really wanted to be there. Three out of the 5 of us live in SC & 2 are out of state. I actually live near Landrum and was interested in the fact Don had a farm there.
Please know that we are so sorry for your loss and treasure the memories we have of our families and time spent together.
Mindy Metcalf Cornelison

Dear Don was like a brother to me. I first knew him in high school, and then we rekindled a close friendship in our college years-this friendship remained close all through the later years,a friendship which I treasured.His death is a great loss to me.

We will miss Don so very much. He was a dear friend and we treasured his stories and kindness.

Don had a heart of gold. Every time we saw him he had a smile on his face. His humor and wit was one of a kind and he never met a stranger! Don was caring and loving to those in need. He'd give the shirt off his back to help a friend.

Things I remember most about Don is his love for the farm in Landrum, "Old Blue" and the saying, "melaka miki maka"! He befriended our dog Cricket and she became his side-kick on the farm. Don kept a special jar of vanilla wafers as "treats" for Cricket. Many times we could here Don playing the organ in the evenings from his log cabin.

Don was one of a kind and will be missed by so many.
Our prayer and condolences to Robin, Scott and their families.
We love you. Missy & Fritz

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott and Robin and their families. The mark of this exceptional man and father is seen in his wonderful and successful children. Don was a loving father and a good Christian. To me, Don was a loyal friend, a fine Officer and a leader of Marines. Don was like a bother to me. We talked and emailed often. We both graduated from colleges in Columbia. Don in South Carolina and I in Missouri. We enjoyed Mizzou's first SEC Away game together in Columbia, SC in 2012. Our time at our squadron reunions cemented our bond as bothers in Christ and our beloved Corps. I first met Don in 1958 while attending Basic Officers School in Quantico, VA. We then attended a school at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, FL. From there we were stationed at the Kaneohe Bay MCAS in Hawaii. We spent time at the Futenma MCAF in Okinawa and months at sea in the Pacific. Don was an outstanding Marine Officer who was professional, highly competent, kind and courteous. He served as a squadron Senior Air Director and had the respect and admiration of his Marines as well as his brother officers. May Don Rest in Peace. We will miss you. Semper Fidelis.

With deepest sympathy at this of sorrow. May you find comfort in special memories.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Don and his family over the holidays . His quiet strength and great love for them shined brightly, while he chose to downplay his struggles with his health . I was honored to know him . May God comfort his family with the peace that passes all understanding as we celebrate this great man's life . With warm regards from Sandy Freeman

I just want the Family to know that Donald and I attended Palmetto Boys State in the summer of 1952. He was elected Governor and I was elected Comptroller General. It was a great experience and I will always remember Donald and the Boys State experience. I was a student at Cross Anchor High School. Sincere sympathies, Julian H. Fincher

Don and his wife gave me one of my most talented football players -The
Wade Hampton Cherokees Thank you M/M Spann.
God Bless

A friend sent me the obituary that was in the Charleston Courier. I was sorry to read of his passing. He was our neighbor and friend and Scott had a real influence on my children as their swim team coach---they still are active swimmers and my granddaughters are quite the little stars on their swim team! Love to the family. Brenda Snyder Trinder

I lived across the street from Don and his family on Blaine Drive, MCAS, Kaneohe, Hawaii during the period 1959 to 1962. I always remembered him with a gigantic smile on his face, ready with a friendly greeting and always with a positive attitude. He was a fine Marine and a good friend. May he rest in peace always.
Dick Reynolds, LtCol USMC (Ret)

Don was a role model when I was an adolescent and a mentor as I grew. His friendship was a reliable one and I pray that some of his admirable qualities rubbed off. Rest in Peace Don Spann and may God comfort the multitude of your family and friends.

Fond memories. Semper fi!

May his memory be eternal.

Timothy O. Manos, and family.

Sending love and deepest sympathy to Betty Jo, Scott, Robin, and all the family. So many, many of us loved "Don Spann, the Muscle Man"!

My Prayers and Thoughts of a Great Man. I never forget the word " PERSEVERANCE"

God bless you Don and family at this time of remembrance of a truly remarkable life of courage, creativity, triumph and service. The Greenville swimming community will always remember the passion and commitment you had for the sport, carrying it to new levels here with the creation of a national meet, the FFO, and other behind the scenes projects. With the greatest fondness and respect for Don, and prayers for the family, the Austin S. Callaway family.

We were blessed beyond measure by the Lord to know and love Don. The Lord used Don to touch many lives including ours. Don freely shared his scar tissue with engine who had an ear to listen. Yet, his heart showed no sign of the scars - neither from the battle or the surgeon. Don was the best of friends with his daily "humor" that he shared with all to his deep commitment to offer help to all. Don's compassion was his greatest strength - and thereby a weakness. Above all Don was a pillar of strength. We will miss him dearly. Enter your reward you've run the race and showed us how to endure. Peace

I have indeed been blessed to be one of Don's many friends. I met Don through CBS Bible Study about 15 years ago. In 2004, Don invited me to join Kairos Prison Ministry and I am still active in this ministry today. We need more people in this world today like Don. I will surely miss him and thank him for all he did in my life.

I vividly remember being at the Spann's house in the mid-1970s and Mr. Spann would excitedly show Robin and me different ideas he had working with sponges. Those ideas lead to Span America being formed.
God put Don back into my life in the mid-1990s at a time in my life when I needed a Christian mentor, friend, encouragement and wisdom.
The rarest compliment I can give someone is a perfect way to sum up Don Spann. The more you got to know Don the more you admired him.
He will be missed greatly but long remembered.

I do not have the words to describe the blessings of having Don as a best friend for over 20 years. Bob

Robin, I now know where you get your beautiful mind. What a man. What a legacy. Blessings and peace to the extended Spann family.

Don and I had many ties together. He was a customer,a person that I listened too, a man of vast scientific knowledge, understanding. he always got up and went on when he was knocked down. he always listened to MY opinion, then helped me " polish it off." The most important of all these ,was,and is; he is my Christian brother. To God be the glory!

What a beautiful obituary for such a distinguished gentleman who will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to have known him. You will see your Dad when you look in the mirror each day, Robin, and when you look at your children. He left an amazing legacy in his love for the Lord and his love for his family. In the days ahead may you know the grace of the Lord's healing love as He binds up your deep wounds of grief and the comfort of His perfect peace as you rest in His Presence. Joe joins me in sending you, Trey, and all of your family, our deepest sympathy and love, Ginny

On behalf of the Greenville Airport Commission, past and present, please accept our condolences on the passing of one of our finest, Don Spann. His impact on the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) cannot be overstated. He was a faithful advocate for GMU for many years as a Commissioner, Chairman, and friend. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. We will always remember his boundless energy and incredible smile. Godspeed!

All of us had a great time when we spent a few days together reminiscing at the MCAS2 reunion in Phoenix a few years ago. It was good to see you again after so many years. Rest in peace Don. Semper Fi brother.

ROBIN AND FAMILY, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER DON'S FAMOUS WORDS WITH A BIG HUG "WHO IS THE UNCLE YOU LOVE THE MOST". YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. SANDRA LEE

We will all miss Don's testimonies and stories about those he loved. What a testimony HE was to the world. It was a better place because he was here but he will live on through those retouched and loved.

Robin & Trey, Your Father was a most amazing man & had quite a very special life & is so loved by his family. Sending much love & condolences to all.

Jaimie and I send our thoughts and prayers to BeeJay, Scott, and Robin and their families. We loved Uncle Don and treasured his friendship.

So sorry to hear of Don's passing prayers are with his family from the Reeves