Paul Spivey

Paul Spivey, age 76, of Gulfport, passed away on August 1, 2021, after a 25 year battle with Parkinson's Disease, with his family by his side.

As a teenager, Paul cut grass at the Keesler AFB Golf Course, and as a young man, he worked as a barber. He ran track in high school and held a Mississippi record for two years in the 880 yard race.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1966 and was stationed at San Diego and Whidbey Island Naval Station. While on active duty, he served a tour in Vietnam. In 1970, he left the Navy and returned to Mississippi where he barbered at Fred Heflin's and Buddy's Barber shop. In 1976, he entered civil service where he proudly served 22 years in the Air Reserves as a C-130 Turbo Propulsion Technician in the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base. Spending these years flying with the Hurricane Hunters brought many travel experiences, both in the Caribbean and in the states. He retired from the Air Reserves 31 May 1993 and transitioned to the 81st LRS as a vehicle operator, where he finished his distinguished career in the service of his country with 35 years of Civil Service.

Paul had many interests. He loved family gatherings where there was lots of good food. Outdoors was where he spent most of his free time. He fished, hunted, tended his orchard, rode his ATV, and spent countless hours tinkering with parts to build one-of-kind machines that he could ride, only to conquer the build and tear them apart to do it all over again. He was infamous for building unique and creative boats, but not necessarily ones that would float or were safe. He enjoyed archery and making his own bows.

Outdoors is also where you would find him swimming in "his wife's pool" and camping with his family on vacations, especially when the kids were younger. It was always fun when he broke out the ladder ball, horseshoes, and washer toss!

Paul enjoyed watching westerns, reading Louis L'Amour, sketching, drawing, painting, playing cards, checkers, chess, and backgammon.

Paul was known to spontaneously sing, "Tiger by the Tail" or "Running Bear", especially when around his loved ones. This was usually met with a family member singing the next lyric.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford S. and Velma Spivey; his in-laws, Dick and Bunny Dambrino; his brother, Maylon Spivey; and his precious granddaughter, Kaitlyn Snell, whom he referred to as his "Little Foot" and whom he is cradling once again.

He is survived by his wife of 54 ½ years, Connie Dambrino-Spivey (wed Dec. 20, 1966); children, Tony Spivey (wife- Dawn), Paula Spivey-Lacoste (husband- Chris), and Theresa Spivey-Snell (husband- James); grandchildren: Samantha Snell, Logan Lacoste, Morgan Lacoste; great-grandchild, Greyson Snell-Hornick; siblings, Alton Spivey, Mary Spivey-Hudgins, Mose D. "Dude" Spivey, Janet Spivey-Melfi, Pauline Spivey-Rogow, Joel Spivey, Richard Dambrino, Jr. (brother-in-law), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Gateway United Methodist Church, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior.

Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to M.L. Tootle Mission at Gateway United Methodist Church, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at donations@michaeljfox.org.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories and tributes may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com .