Mel Douglas "Doug" Spillman

Mel Douglas “Doug” Spillman passed away Sunday, August 31, 2014 in Walsenburg, Colorado at age sixty-five. Mr. Spillman was born in Stafford, Kansas on December 12, 1948 to Melvin Luther and Lorna Dean (Weise) Spillman. Doug graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas with a B.S. in Education in 1970. He began his teaching career in Ransom, Kansas. In 1975, he earned a M.S. degree from Fort Hays in Educational Leadership which allowed him the opportunity to become a principal and superintendent. Doug’s duties as an educational leader led him to many school districts in Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. He loved working with students from Kindergarten through High School. Often he could be seen interacting with students at recess, playing football or other sports and mentoring older students through conversation. Doug loved his career as an educator and spent forty plus years devoting his life to the youth of public schools. When Doug was outside of the school he also loved to go hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Spillman was preceded in passing by his parents Melvin and Lorna Dean Spillman and one brother Jim Spillman. Survivors include his wife Janet (Harris) Spillman of the home, his children, Mandy Spillman-Hixon of Miami, Matt Spillman and his wife Stephanie of Ozark, Missouri, Tara Gragg and her husband DJ of Fairland and Aaron Walker and his wife Andra of Miami, his grandchildren Kyleigh Hixon, Hannah Gragg, Addyson Hixon, Joshua Gragg, Kinson Spillman and Clara Walker along with his sister Connie Carroll and her husband Richard of Fairland. Services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, September 5, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, Miami with Reverend Mark Rickman officiating. Services have been placed in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Miami. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the River Bottom Sportsmen for Disable Veterans or the Doug Spillman Scholarship Fund. Please make both of these in care of the funeral home at 5 B NW, Miami, OK 74354 Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Spillman’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Mel Douglas "Doug" Spillman

December 12, 1948 - August 31, 2014