In loving memory of

James A. Spurling
June 12, 1933 - November 16, 2021

JAMES A. SPURLING
MUSCATINE, Iowa - James Arthur Spurling, 88, of Muscatine, passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at his home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the VFW in Muscatine. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

James was born on June 12, 1933, in Fonda, Iowa, the son of James and Hazel Peppel Spurling. He married Lois M. Moore on September 11, 1954, in Iowa City.

James was a jack of all trades. He enjoyed fishing and going to the casino. James loved dredging the river.

James is survived by his children; James Spurling of Muscatine, Richard Spurling of Muscatine, Andrew (Toni) Spurling of Muscatine, Melody Doughty (Lee Genz) of Bettendorf, Susan Sterner of Stockton, Loretta (Bob) Hopkins of Muscatine, and Ginger (Dave) McCrabb of Topeka, Kansas; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Larson of Pocahontas.

James is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lois on 8-12-2006; one grandson, Jay; two great-grandsons Bradley and Brandon; five siblings, Robert, Rose, George, Frannie, and Charley.

Tributes

Twyla Burch wrote on Nov 24, 2021:

"I am so sorry for your loss I always enjoyed talking to him"

Michelle Phillips wrote on Nov 18, 2021:

"Pop's was an awesome person there was only one Pops I'd take him fishing a few years back I don't think I ever laughed so hard in my life.I remember him telling me (I drive on both sides of the road cause I pay taxes on this damn shit I) I will miss you deeply Pop's"

Carissa W Miller wrote on Nov 17, 2021:

"Grampa was a funny character full of "dad jokes" and would share a cup of coffee and conversation with anyone that would look his way! He was a tradesman; always fixing something for someone. He was a salvager; recycling/picking up the broken and unused things and selling pieces and parts for new life. He was a (mild) hunter and a supreme fisherman- pulling MONSTERS out of the Mighty Mississippi (bigger than us kids, most times!). He would tend to his stock of chickens, ducks, cows and pigs. I remember him always trying to find one with red hair-to match mine! I remember the bunnies or chicks that he would bring us on Easter morning. I remember waiting so impatiently for him and Gramma to get to our house on Christmas morning for coffee and presents; we couldn't open anything but the stockings until they got there! That seemed like the longest wait EVERRRR! haha I remember hanging out down at the old Hwy60 Truckstop/coffee shop with him for HOURS; hours of conversations, giving the waitresses a hard time, drawing on napkins, and giving me his pocket change to go to the gas station to get candy. I remember him telling me which apples to pick and which ones NOT to pick (and for God's sake- don't pick up the ones on the ground!!! Doesn't matter what they look like-they weren't good enough for him!) then we'd go in and make apple butter. I remember he also made THE BEST hand churned ice cream!!!! His black cherry was my favorite- he always found the biggest cherries to use. YUM!!! I'm so glad that I was able to lead him to the pier on the North Carolina/Atlantic coast, to the lights of the Las Vegas strip, and to the white sands and Emerald Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. He was also a WONDERFUL "backseat driver", haha. He taught us a lot though. And he will be missed. I am thankful for all the wonderful memories we have together. Rest in peace, Grampa. And give Gramma the biggest squeezy hug ever for me. xoxo Love You "