Donald Carroll Spann

Donald Carroll Spann, 82, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2017 in Charleston, South Carolina surrounded by family.

He was a much beloved Father; Brother; Family Man; Marine; and Inexhaustable entrepreneur/business man and lover of the Lord.

"Don" was born and raised in Greenville, SC on November 18, 1934 to the late Benjamin Mabry Spann and Lucille Hollis Spann.

He attended Augusta Circle Elementary, Greenville Junior High and Greenville Senior High Schools. An outstanding student, he represented his class every year as the Class President and was then elected Student Body President as a senior. Don was chosen to attend Boy's State where he was elected governor and was further selected to represent South Carolina at Boy's Nation in Washington, D.C.

A multi-talented athlete, he played football, wrestled, and ran track performing well enough to play for the Washington and Lee Generals in Lexington, Virginia. Later, he transferred to the University of South Carolina to join Betty Jo McQueen whom he wed in 1956. Their marriage lasted 44 years, but their devotion to each other still carries on to this day.

In 1958, he was commissioned as a United States Marine and served in the 1st Marine Brigade as an Air Controller with MACS- (2) Deuce while stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. He proudly wore the mantle of a marine and retired after 20 years of service to his country.

At the conclusion of his active duty, Don returned to the mainland where he worked in Houston with Bob McNair and then settled back home in Greenville. He then opened Village Galleries, a furniture store, with his brother, Henry.

Don also worked in the textile industry for Wunda Weve, Phillips fibers and Reeves Brothers. He developed the two- sided sponge we are all familiar with today.

The 1970's economic depression led him to seek a more stable career in medical sales. He desired a company of his own and this became the Brainchild now known as Span-America. From humble beginnings in his own living room, he rapidly grew a multitude of foam medical products; most notably "egg crate foam mattress pads" to prevent bed sores, and a great many patented patient positioners that he saw a need for. Being the compassionate visionary that he was, he derived a great pleasure in being able to design and develop products that would help people. His company went public and after the IPO, Span-America became the top performing stock on the NASDAQ in 1985.

Flying was a life long passion of Don's and he was fortunate to have owned several airplanes. He described flying as "incredibly peaceful and felt he was maybe catching a glimpse of the world from the perspective of God." He was also especially honored to have served as Chairman for 2 unprecedented terms on the Greenville Downtown Airport Commission and could be found hanging around the Downtown airport even after his 12 years of service on the Commission ended.

During these years, he also established and hosted the Fidelity Federal Open Swim Meet for elite swimmers across the country. Don also built a marina in Charleston named Ripley Light. His foresight and special building techniques allowed Ripley Light Marina to be the sole unscathed marina during Hurricane Hugo. Don and Henry developed a beautiful subdivision named Chelsea Woods in Greenville, which exists today because of Don's uncanny ability as a visionary to see what can be and his commitment to follow through.

Later years took him to Landrum, South Carolina where at nearly 70 years old, he purchased a farm and built a log cabin, barn, and a covered bridge known as Klickety Klack Covered Bridge, which has been written up in several publications; all with the help of some very special friends he loved, namely Troy Coffey, and Don's faithful tractor "Old Blue".

Don was a long time member and deacon at 4th Presbyterian Church in Greenville, but felt his spiritual life change becoming more devoted to our Lord after a death defying boating accident almost 25 years ago. He subsequently became a member of Kairos Prison Ministry and a long-term devotee to his Bible study group.

When not creating businesses, leading political groups, heading the airport commission, building marinas, managing statewide gubernatorial campaigns, developing athletic events, ministering to others, building houses, decks and bridges, being a husband and devoted father - he enjoyed another of God's gifts - he was blessed with a musical ear. He could pick up any new instrument and in no time seem like a lifelong aficionado. Playing the piano, especially for others, was one of his most favorite hobbies and one of his greatest joys.

His last venture focused on a series of naturally based products promoting healing via stem cell augmentation. Even in his late 70s and early 80s he was teaching himself the science and necessary vernacular to once again further his iconoclastic approach to a newly found passion.

He is survived by two children whom he dearly loved - his son Scott Weaver Spann (Beth Ballard Spann) of Austin, TX and their three children Austin, Alexi and Scott, Jr. and great granddaughter Ayven; and daughter Robin Spann McCraw (Trey McCraw) of Charleston, SC and their five children, Katie, Campbell, Morgan, Sophie-Earle and Connor; as well as his bother, Henry Spann and former wife of 44 years and beloved friend, Betty Jo McQueen Spann, both of Greenville, SC.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate his life in Greenville, South Carolina at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2 o'clock p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Don's honor to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

A proud marine, Major Donald Carroll Spann's body will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Among his final words was the pride he felt for his Band of Brothers when he gave a big smile and said : "Oo-rah"!.

Semper Fi.