"Our deepest sympathy and love goes out to Sharon, Jimmy, Kyle nieces, nephews, cousin's and extended family. He was a kind easy going gentleman, always had a sense of humor and was a in my opinion a great golfer. He will be sorely missed by all. Sincerely Ted & BK Jeter"
In loving memory of
Larry Spillar
October 20, 1945 - November 18, 2017
Larry Wayne Spillar
Coach Spillar
AR
In Loving Memory
October 20, 1945 November 18, 2017
Larry Wayne Coach Spillar, age 72, passed away on November 18, 2017, after battling Alzheimers disease.
Larry was born on October 20, 1945 in Austin, Texas to John A and Mildred Muesse Spillar.
He attended Austin ISD schools (Zilker Elementary, Porter Junior High, and W. B. Travis High) followed by Blinn Junior College, transferring to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, obtaining degrees in physical education and history. Upon college graduation, he was employed by Austin ISD, teaching and coaching football, basketball, and baseball at Lamar Junior High and Reagan High. On August 30, 1968, following Spillar family tradition, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Beckham at Kinney Avenue Baptist Church, Austin, TX. They were blessed with a baby girl, April Dawn, in 1977. After eleven years of coaching, he resigned to become owner and manager of Baskin Robbins on South Congress Avenue. He later joined the family business, Spillar Custom Hitches and Welding, as a sales representative.
Larry was a talented and accomplished athlete. He demonstrated a passion for and dedication to sports. He played and participated in numerous sports. Upon joining Lost Creek Country Club in 1992, his great passion for golf took off, and he participated and placed highly in MGA tournaments, including two at Pinehurst (1999, 2000). His golfing buddies included friends from the MGA and Central Texas Retired Coaches Association. He had a great love for the University of Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Astros. Larry participated in the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, hunting white-tailed Hill Country and South Texas deer with family and friends. For relaxation, he enjoyed boating and water skiing on Lake Travis.
He enjoyed country and western dancing and attending live concerts. His favorites included Elvis, George Strait, and Willie. He had the time of his life serving as chef at catfish fries and chili and barbeque cook-offs. Mildred was his favorite cook, especially when she prepared deep-fried back strap and coconut or chocolate cream pies. He also had a sweet tooth for Carol Spillars Italian cream-cake.
As a true South Austin native, he embodied many good-ol boy traits, always showing respect for others by answering with yes maam and no sir. He proudly sported his Allens boots and Texas Hatters western attire, or clothing appropriate for golf or coaching. His true Texas friendliness extended to all, especially children, demonstrated by his sharing kind or funny words, a high five, or a thumbs-up. Larry always introduced himself as Larry Spillar, thats Spillar with an ar, earning himself the nickname of AR.
Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon Beckham Spillar, his two brothers and sisters-in law, Jimmy and Carol Spillar and Kyle and Deborah Spillar, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, April Dawn, and his parents, John A and Mildred Spillar.
In January 2017, Larry joined the community at Brookdale Beckett Meadows Memory Care Unit. Then, when needed, the Brookdale Hospices staff accepted Larry with open arms into their family, with daily monitoring of his health and comfort. Many thanks are extended to all caregivers for their dedication to and love for Larry.
There will be a private Celebration of Life with family and friends. Condolences may be sent to www.harrellfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Larrys name to the Darrell K. Royal Research Fund for Alzheimers Disease (www.dkrfund.org), Kinney Avenue Christian Fellowship Fund (1801 Kinney Avenue, Austin, TX 78704), or a charity of your choosing.