Dennis R. Spradlin's Obituary
Dennis R Spradlin, 82, departed this life on January 7th, 2025. He was born April 28, 1942, the second child of John and Lois Spradlin (Krase) in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in Winfield, Kansas and graduated from Winfield High School in 1960 where he excelled academically and played football and ran track. He was granted an appointment to the US Naval Academy and began Plebe summer in 1960. His June graduation with the USNA Class of 1964 was followed by his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Hutchins, in El Dorado, Kansas. Following their honeymoon the couple moved to Pensacola, FL where Dennis began flight training. Additional flight training was completed in Corpus Christi, TX.
Dennis' first tour as a pilot was flying C-130 aircraft with Air Transport Squadron 22 which was attached to the US Air Force and charged with flying men and supplies in and out of Viet Nam. Following that duty he transitioned to P-3 aircraft and served tours with VP-9, VP-31, VP-19 and VP-50, achieving Patrol Plane Commander status. In between squadron tours he served a 2-year tour as a Company Commander at the US Naval Academy, which was followed by a tour aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) as Ordnance and Gunnery Officer. He then served for 2 years on the Commander Third Fleet Staff as Assistant Command and Control Officer in Oahu, Hawaii. His final tour brought Dennis and his family to the Washington, DC area where he served the Office of the CNO as Subspecialty Requirements Coordinator until retiring in 1984.
After his Navy retirement, Dennis changed his focus to being a business owner and manager and spending more time with his family. Dennis, his wife, Mary Jane, their son, Greg, and daughter, Christine, loved to travel and enjoyed many cross-country trips in the US always with a stop in Kansas to visit family and friends. He delighted in becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather.
In 2008 health problems required a triple bypass heart procedure for Dennis followed by a complex recovery. As a result, a move was made to a retirement condo in the Potomac Ridge building in Lansdowne Woods, Virginia. Dennis served on several committees helping with the building management. He and Mary Jane enjoyed being part of the Potomac Ridge travel group and joined them for many Caribbean cruises and European River cruises as well as numerous cruises on their own.
A trip to Kansas was taken in November of 2024 to visit family and friends. Upon the return to Virginia, Dennis' health worsened, and he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He departed this life on January 7, 2025. Dennis was predeceased by his brother, Donald, and both parents. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane, son, Gregory, daughter, Christine Mosier, sister, Karen Brown, granddaughter, Jessica Wall (John Breeding), grandsons Richard Jason Mosier and Austin Mosier, great grandchildren: Hunter, Jackson Fisher, Kaylea, and Lily, and a much loved cousin, Betty Snell.
With deep gratitude for the excellent and kind end of life care Dennis received from the nurses, techs, and doctors, his wife and family would like to request memorial contributions to either INOVA Loudoun Hospital or Capital Caring Health Hospice.
Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at an undetermined date.
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