John Frank "Pepper" Spurlock
January 21, 1975 — October 20, 2017
Dr. John "Pepper" Spurlock, Jr, 42, passed away on October 20, 2017 at Midtown Medical Center, in Columbus, GA.
Dr. Pepper was born on January 21, 1975 in Columbus, Ga to John Frank Spurlock, Sr. and Patricia A. Polk. (Alexander). Pepper grew up in Fortson, Ga. He graduated from Grace Christian School in Columbus in 1993. After high school he was awarded his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia in Athens (Go Dawgs) in 1998, his Master of Education from Columbus State University in 2005, his Specialist in Education from Columbus State University in 2007, and his Doctorate in Education from Valdosta State University in 2014.
Pepper began his teaching career at Harris County Carver Middle School before finding his home at East Columbus Magnet Academy in 2001. He finished his career as the Assistant Principal of East Columbus Magnet Academy.
Pepper was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents William T. and Claudie P. Spurlock of Columbus, and maternal grandfather, James L. Alexander, Sr. of Fortson, GA. Pepper is survived by his wife Traci and his son Whitt of Columbus, his parents John F. Spurlock, Sr. (Brenda) of Phenix City and Patricia A. Polk (Charles) of Mableton, GA, maternal grandmother, Sarah Alexander of Lillian, AL, mother-in-law, Chris Estes of Columbus, his brother, Jamie Spurlock (Aimee) of Cataula, GA, step-sister Michelle Creech (Will) of Columbus, half-brother Tyler Spurlock and step-sister Jennifer Caldwell of Phenix City, AL, his nieces Railey and Adah Spurlock of Cataula, GA, and Kelly Spurlock of Phenix City, AL, and nephew Blythe Creech of Columbus, GA and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Dr. Pepper had several passions in life: Jesus, his family, teaching and learning, coaching football and wrestling, attending UGA football games, watching and coaching Whitt in sports, watching wrestling with the KLIQ, fishing, and singing with the Sawdust Trail Quartet. One of Dr. Pepper's greatest passions were his students at East Columbus. 16 years at 1 school is unusual, but he stayed because he loved it. Whether he was teaching, coaching or being an assistant principal, he loved his kids and coworkers and they loved him in return.
A Celebration service will be held at Piney Grove Baptist Church, 20 GA Hwy 315 Fortson, GA at 6 PM on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. A visitation will precede the Celebration service beginning at 5 PM where the family will be greeting friends and relatives. Feel free to wear UGA colors and be comfortable as that is the way Dr. Pepper would have wanted it.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the East Columbus Magnet Football Team or Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Dr. Pepper was born on January 21, 1975 in Columbus, Ga to John Frank Spurlock, Sr. and Patricia A. Polk. (Alexander). Pepper grew up in Fortson, Ga. He graduated from Grace Christian School in Columbus in 1993. After high school he was awarded his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia in Athens (Go Dawgs) in 1998, his Master of Education from Columbus State University in 2005, his Specialist in Education from Columbus State University in 2007, and his Doctorate in Education from Valdosta State University in 2014.
Pepper began his teaching career at Harris County Carver Middle School before finding his home at East Columbus Magnet Academy in 2001. He finished his career as the Assistant Principal of East Columbus Magnet Academy.
Pepper was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents William T. and Claudie P. Spurlock of Columbus, and maternal grandfather, James L. Alexander, Sr. of Fortson, GA. Pepper is survived by his wife Traci and his son Whitt of Columbus, his parents John F. Spurlock, Sr. (Brenda) of Phenix City and Patricia A. Polk (Charles) of Mableton, GA, maternal grandmother, Sarah Alexander of Lillian, AL, mother-in-law, Chris Estes of Columbus, his brother, Jamie Spurlock (Aimee) of Cataula, GA, step-sister Michelle Creech (Will) of Columbus, half-brother Tyler Spurlock and step-sister Jennifer Caldwell of Phenix City, AL, his nieces Railey and Adah Spurlock of Cataula, GA, and Kelly Spurlock of Phenix City, AL, and nephew Blythe Creech of Columbus, GA and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Dr. Pepper had several passions in life: Jesus, his family, teaching and learning, coaching football and wrestling, attending UGA football games, watching and coaching Whitt in sports, watching wrestling with the KLIQ, fishing, and singing with the Sawdust Trail Quartet. One of Dr. Pepper's greatest passions were his students at East Columbus. 16 years at 1 school is unusual, but he stayed because he loved it. Whether he was teaching, coaching or being an assistant principal, he loved his kids and coworkers and they loved him in return.
A Celebration service will be held at Piney Grove Baptist Church, 20 GA Hwy 315 Fortson, GA at 6 PM on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. A visitation will precede the Celebration service beginning at 5 PM where the family will be greeting friends and relatives. Feel free to wear UGA colors and be comfortable as that is the way Dr. Pepper would have wanted it.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the East Columbus Magnet Football Team or Piney Grove Baptist Church.
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