David Spangler

David Madison Spangler, 91, passed away on Saturday evening, July 16, 2016 in Pinehurst, NC with his daughter and son-in-law by his side. He was born in Cascade, VA on October 31, 1924 a son of the late Elder David Vincent Spangler and Nannie E. Turpin Spangler. He continued to attend the churches his father served, Dan River Primitive Baptist Church, founded by his father, in Mayfield, NC   and   Malmaison Primitive Baptist Church, Pittsylvania Co., VA.  David graduated from Brosville High School and National Business College, Roanoke, VA.  He also attended Penn State College, PA - Air Force School. After graduation from college, he was employed by Bassett Furniture Co., Bassett, VA where he was responsible for payroll. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was trained as fighter pilot but was transferred to B-29s at March Air Force Base, CA.  He was released from active duty in 1945.  He was recalled to active duty in 1951 as a pilot in B-50 aircraft assigned to the Strategic Air Command, Nuclear Unit, in Tucson, Arizona.  During this time, he was one of the elite few pilots selected and trained to carry the nuclear bomb during the cold war.  He was released from active duty in 1953 but remained in the Air Force Reserves for 26 years retiring as a Major.  David was proud to serve his country during World War II and the Korean War.  As an active reservists, he served as commander of the local Air Force Association.  He was on the Board of Directors of the National Air Force Association in Washington D.C. Upon leaving the Air Force, David returned to Danville and entered the dry cleaning business.  He opened Coachman Cleaners.  Later he went into the real estate business as Danville Realty Co. retiring in 2011.  In 1948 David married Joyce Davis Spangler of Riverside, Ca.  Together they raised two daughters, Beverlee Spangler Beale and the late Linda Joyce Spangler, South Boston, VA.  David is survived by his daughter Beverlee and her husband, Burgin W. Beale, Jr. of Southern Pines, NC; a sister, Rebecca S. Smith of Sarasota, FL.; two granddaughters, Allison Lee Beale, of Manhattan, NY and Kelli Beale Fletcher and her husband, Eric of Boston MA; a great-grandson, Samuel Beale Fletcher and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Townes Memorial Chapel on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 12:00 noon with Elder Jimmy Gray officiating.  Burial will follow in Dan River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, NC 700, Mayfield, NC. The family will receive friends on Thursday one hour prior to the service from 11:00 to 12:00 noon. Donations may be made to the hospice care group in your community or to Dan River Primitive Baptist Church