Jack Edwin Spruill

   Jack Edwin Spruill, 87, formerly of the Nixon’s Beach community of Chowan County, passed away on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

   Mr. Spruill was born in Tyrrell County on February 25, 1931, and was the son of the late Noah and Mae Furlough Spruill.

   Joining the Navy on February 27, 1951, he went to boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. Upon completion of his training, he went to serve on the John R. Pierce during the Korean War. The ship was hit by a torpedo, and for the injuries he sustained, he received the Purple Heart Medal. Stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1952, he took his bride, Donnie Twiddy Spruill and lived there five years where their oldest daughter was born. Upon returning to the states, his family moved to the Kempsville area and resided there for 30 years. During that time, he was stationed at both the Little Creek and Norfolk bases, and saw two tours of duty in Vietnam. Diagnosed with a rare genetic blindness called Retinitis Pigmentosa, he retired on June 7, 1974 after 23 and a half years in the Navy, where he was in charge of the ship’s store. He loved his military career, visiting other cultures, and bringing home presents and movies to share with his family. Making three trips around the world, he always said, “where else could he see the world and be paid to do it?”

   Not letting his blindness stop him, he moved to Nixon’s Beach in 1980, and there taught himself how to install aluminum siding, and build piers and bulkheads. His favorite hobby was the use of his LT 40 Wood Mizer Hydraulic Saw Mill. He owned several over the years and introduced them to the eastern area of North Carolina. He taught others how to use them, and then sold his so others could enjoy it. Many people from Edenton to Chapel Hill have had wood cut by him.

   It took 35 years to totally lose his eyesight, and although he hated giving up things he enjoyed, he moved to Virginia Beach in 2009 so he could be closer to his daughter and enjoy life in assisted living. He made many friends there, and won over everyone with that friendship and his philosophy on life. Returning to his native Tyrrell County (Columbia) in February 2017, he lived in the Tyrrell House Assisted Living until he passed. The philosophy of “what will be will be” kept him upbeat, even through his blindness, dementia, and cancer. The “spin” he placed on his declining health was: “I’m better than anyone else because they are working and I’m not”. To the end, he lived life large and on his own terms.

   Surviving are his daughters, Jacuelyn Spruill Inge of Virginia Beach, and Joanna Spruill Kires (Randy) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; his grandson, Jason Inge of Virginia Beach; sisters, Joyce Davis and Betty Pledger; and brothers, Buddy, Sterling, and Frankie Spruill.

   A special thank you goes to Gloria Smith, his caregiver for many years, who through her outstanding devotion and care made sure he was comfortable every day.

   He will be greatly missed by all who knew him because he touched so many lives in so many ways.

   A private time of remembrance by the family will be held at a later date.

   Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.