Charles Spivey Jr.

Charles Gordon Spivey, Jr., M.D., Colonel, USAF (Retired) was born on September 18, 1925 in Asheville, North Carolina to Charles Gordon and Mary Spivey and passed away on August 24, 2017 at the age of 91. Charles joined the US Army in 1945 and was assigned to the 25th "Tropic Lightning" Infantry Division. Later, he was a part of the occupying force in Kyoto, Japan. On his return, he completed undergraduate work at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina; where his family resided. He then completed medical studies leading to an M.D. degree at what was then the Medical College of Virginia, now the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He interned in Richmond, Virginia and was in a Residency program in Madison, Wisconsin when he met Kathryn Jane Culver; whom he married on April 5, 1952 in Wautoma, Wisconsin. In 1957, he entered the Air Force; serving first in Denver, Colorado at an Army Hospital for a another Residency, then at multiple duty stations in Europe and the United States, culminating at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, Texas. While in the Air Force, his primary role was as a Flight Surgeon and expert on Pulmonary Disease, but he helped with medical care for Vietnam casualties and gave medical training to the Astronaut Corps as well. Dr. Spivey was a renowned expert on lung disease. He treated many patients who suffered from tuberculosis, cancer, emphysema and asbestosis. His dedication and contribution to the study and advancement of treatment of lung disease will always be remembered. Dr. Spivey retired from the Air Force in 1975 after proudly serving his country for 20 years in the Army and Air Force. He then practiced medicine for another ten years at what became the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Texas, developing expertise in cardiac critical care, in addition to his other skills. He was a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Spivey is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Spivey and sister, Marilyn Spivey Fuller. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Kathryn Jane Culver Spivey; sons John Spivey, Brian Spivey and wife Janet; daughter Martha Jordan and husband Robert; grandchildren Irina, Joshua and Benjamin Spivey; brother Ronald Spivey and many loving nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at Schertz Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 from 8:00am-9:30am with the funeral service beginning at 9:30am with Pastor Jim Curran officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.

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