Richard Spurlin
November 28, 1929 – December 11, 2020
Richard “Dick” Gerald Spurlin passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020, at the age of 91 in Edmond, OK. He was born on November 28, 1929, in Chickasha, OK, to A.D. and Fern Spurlin. He grew up in El Reno, OK, with his two brothers, L.A. and Ron Spurlin. He graduated from El Reno High School and later attended Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma City University. Dick was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in London.
He was actively involved in the family farm equipment business, Spurlin Sales Company, and eventually branched off in 1955 to start up Dixon Distributers, Inc. in Oklahoma City. Through years of hard work, including traveling to farm shows and state fairs all over the country, he became one of the leading distributors of farm equipment in the U.S. Midwest region. Taking a leap of faith, he and his wife, Peggy, started Centaur International Inc., an import business manufacturing farm implements in Italy. Dick loved the challenge of learning the importing business and spent many years attending trade shows throughout western Europe and Bologna, Italy. Even though he made lifelong friends through his business travels, he still loved coming home to manage his 160-acre homestead in Edmond, OK.
He was a farmer at heart! Every summer he spent many long hot hours putting up hay to sell. There was always something for sale at the end of his driveway…hay or used farm equipment. His family always laughed at his choice of repair tools on his own farm equipment…duct tape and bailing wire before you called a repair man – – and it usually got him through the hectic hay season!
Dick is proceeded in death by his parents, his daughter Victoria, and his brother L.A. Spurlin. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 44 years, Peggy Spurlin, his daughter Deidre Spurlin Waltz of Elmhurst, IL, son Rich Spurlin and his wife, Diane of Eugene, OR, stepdaughter Laura Darling and her husband, Steve of Guthrie, OK, stepson Todd Wekenborg and his wife, Staci of Luther, OK, grandchildren Abbey Waltz, Ryan Waltz, Brendan Spurlin, Madeline Spurlin, J.T. Darling, Paige Wekenborg, and Jace Wekenborg, brother Ron Spurlin and his wife, Gudi of Glen Haven CO, and many nieces and nephews. Due to Covid-19, services will be postponed until a later date when the family can gather safely together to celebrate Dick’s life well lived!
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Dick to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude.