Kurt Spurlock
Kurt Spurlock, 64, passed away unexpectedly from cancer complications on March 14, 2021 at his home in Clifton, Colo.
While Kurt lived with cancer for the last four years of his life, he didn’t allow it to keep him from family, life and work. He continued to live his life to the fullest possible right up to the end.
Kurt was born at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Aug. 12, 1956 to F. Gene and Madeline Bryant Spurlock. He spent a lot of his early years with his family moving around the country while his dad served in the Air Force.
Kurt ran track as a student and was very proud of his speed in the 100 yard sprint. He spoke often of his accomplishments and saved the newspaper clippings from all his wins.
Kurt graduated from Anselmo-Merna High School in Nebraska in 1975.
After high school, Kurt joined the Air Force. It was during his time in the military that he found his love of airplanes. He loved sharing stories of the private planes he worked on and the adventures he took to test the engines.
Kurt attended Western Nebraska Community College as a non-traditional student at the age of 42. He earned his A&P license while working full-time.
Kurt was employed for over 20 years by West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, Colo. He was well respected by all who worked with him because of his expertise and extensive knowledge in turbine engines.
In 2003 he met his partner, Christy Wright. At that time, he welcomed three children and six grandchildren into his life and quickly developed a bond with each of them.
Kurt loved the outdoors. He enjoyed camping trips with his family where he spent many hours chasing the one that got away! If you ask those who knew him, they would say he spent more time changing lures and flies over actual time in the water. He loved Lake Powell, fishing for bass and spending time wetting a fly on the river.
After moving to Colorado, it was important to Kurt that he made regular trips home to Nebraska to spend time with his mom, siblings, nieces and nephews. Kurt was a loyal Cornhuskers fan. He lived for Saturday morning football when he got to cheer them on and race his sister, Diane, in a game of “touchdown tag” every time they scored a touchdown.
Kurt loved anything smoked! Bacon, salmon, you name it! His family could always count on him to bring tasty treats to any gathering.
Kurt loved teaching the kids about planes. He got a reputation for making up the names of planes that were 30,000 feet overhead. In their teenage years, they playfully referenced the planes Kurt would talk about, the B1RDs. He was a very proud uncle and grandpa and had unique relationships with all of them.
Kurt was preceded in death by his grandparents; father F. Gene Spurlock; godfather Jack Corbin; and great-niece Reise Fletcher.
He is survived by his partner Christy Wright of Clifton, Colo.; mother Madeline Bryant Spurlock of Merna; godmother Carolyn Corbin of Sumner; brother James Spurlock and Peggy Coon of Merna; sister, Karen (Bret) Fletcher of Gates; sister Diane (Gene) Beebe of Ketchikan, Alaska; brother Wesley (Angela) Spurlock of Cabot, Ark.; godson Gabriel Coon of Broken Bow; twelve nieces and nephews; one great-great niece; acquired children Jerry (Shelley) Wright of Price, Utah, Shanon (Kevin) Philips of South Jordan, Utah, and Tidge (Teri) Wright of Price, Utah; and six grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at a later date in Kurt’s home town of Merna where his final resting place is near his father.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at www.thehuntsman.org/give. Cards may be sent to his mother Madeline Spurlock, at PO Box 188, Merna, NE 68856 or Christy Wright at 530 North Mountain Oak Court Clifton, CO 81520.