View a eulogy for John Gill Spellman, USMA '55, who passed away on January 14, 2014.
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John Gill Spellman
West Point, 1955
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Astrid Spellman on February 6, 2014:
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John G. Spellman Lieutenant Colonel John G. Spellman (US Army-Retired), 84, of Pasadena, Maryland, passed away peacefully at HeartHomes in Pasadena on Jan. 14, 2014. LTC Spellman retired from active duty in 1983 after 28 years of dedicated service. Following retirement from his Army career, he joined the Vinnell Corp. for two years, helping to train the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG). Proficient in Arabic, he had already been an advisor to the SANG during active duty. John G. Spellman was born June 24, 1929 in Norwich, Connecticut to Esther and Nicholas Spellman, a Connecticut State Senator. He played varsity basketball and baseball during high school at the Norwich Free Academy and was a member of the 1945 Championship football team. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with the class of 1955. John's Army career ranged from the USA and multiple locations abroad. One of his memorable early assignments was in the Honor Guard Company of the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Virginia, 1958-1961. He participated in ceremonies from high ranking funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, to foreign dignitary arrivals in Washington. He also was a member of The White House Social staff, composed of eligible bachelors from all military services who supported official ceremonies for the President at The White House. Upon final retirement John returned to his native New England, until his advancing age led to him being lovingly cared for by his daughter Astrid in Maryland for the final decade of his life. John had an effortless charm and an easy smile for everyone he met, which belied a fierce personal discipline and ethic. He is deeply missed. John is survived by, a son Erik Spellman, and a daughter Astrid Frey, her husband Michael Frey, and three grandchildren: Ryan, Owen, and Anne-Lise Frey. His funeral service, with full military honors, is scheduled for June at Arlington National Cemetery. |
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