Dr. Patrick O. Spurgeon, affectionately known as “Doc’ by the
many students, athletes, colleagues, and friends that loved him,
passed away on June 23rd, 2022 in Statesboro, after an eight
decade career as a player, student, teacher, coach, and mentor.
Born in Northwest Indiana, he was raised in East Tennessee
where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from
Elizabethton High School, received his BA in English from Emory
and Henry College in Virginia, and then earned his Master’s and
Doctoral degrees in English from the University of Tennessee. He
taught at the University of Tennessee as a graduate student, then
served on the faculties of Catawba College, Coker College, and
Georgia Southern University, where he became Professor
Emeritus after his retirement.
He was a man passionately involved in the development of young people on the playing field and in the classroom. Playing golf with his friends, drinking coffee
at Snooky’s, and working with kickers in football were among his
favorite pastimes. He was passionately involved with his students
in the classroom and on the field. He served as faculty advisor for
the Sigma Pi fraternity at Georgia Southern. He was voted
Professor of the Year by a George-Anne poll more than once. He
was associated with several high school football programs over
the years—Statesboro High, Reidsville High, Westminster High,
and Marist High Schools. He served as scout and kicking coach
for Erk Russell at the inception of the modern Georgia Southern
Football program. He maintained his connection with football
through. Youngstown State University, the Ohio State University,
and again, Georgia Southern University.
He is a member of the Marist High School athletic Hall of Fame, the Emory and Henry
College Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Southern Athletic
Hall of Fame. He was a mentor to many in the football staffs he
became a part of. He leaves a legacy of love from Shakespeare
to the Split-T. “He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not
look upon his like again.”
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Ann Spurgeon, his sons,
O’Dyer (Mary) and Kevin (Barbara), his grandchildren, Kathleen,
Rick, Russell, Anna, and Bri. He was preceded in death by his
parents Dallas and Vivian Spurgeon, his sister Jalna Larkey, and
his daughter, Anna Kathleen.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the North Tattnall Middle School Football Program, PO Box 369, Reidsville, Georgia 30453.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
