Nick L. Spanos

Nick L. Spanos July 25, 1931 - July 19, 2013 Nick L. Spanos of Crawford, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 81, Friday, July 19, 2013, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waco with the Rev. Joe Geleney and Msgr. Mark Deering as Celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Paul Memorial Cemetery in Crawford. Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., and visitation will follow, Monday, July 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Nick was born July 25, 1931 in Berwyn, Illinois, to Greek immigrants, Louis and Grace Spanos. He grew up in Chicago until joining the U. S. Air force in 1950. He was stationed in Waco, where he met the love of his life and soul mate, Dorothy Zapalac. They were married October 19, 1956, and celebrated 56 years of marriage. Nick was a faithful and devoted Catholic. He and Dorothy are members of St. Eugene's Catholic Church in McGregor, Texas. In 1966, Nick began his own personal company with two old trucks and a tractor as an agent for Red Arrow Freight Lines, LeeWay Motor Freight and Tex-Pack Express, which led him to owning and operating Nick L. Spanos Trucking Company. Together Nick and Dorothy expanded their operations by adding Nick L. Spanos Warehouses and Texas Aero, where both were pilots. As a result, he became a transportation icon with first-class operations in the trucking and aeronautical industries. He was a very successful business man and loved working even after "retirement". Flying ND Ranch and the Spanos Coffee Station in Crawford kept him involved in the business realm. In addition to spending time at their ranch in Crawford, Nick also enjoyed spending time at their homes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas and Beaver Creek, Colorado. Nick had many accomplishments in his life, but all were second to the undying love he had for his family. He will forever be remembered by the words of his favorite song, "I did it my way". Nick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Harry Spanos and sister, Bessie Zerlentes. He was also preceded in death by his dog, Angel and cat, BK, who are waiting to greet him at the Rainbow Bridge. Nick is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his daughters, Kathy Leuschner and husband, Vernon of Robinson, and Fran Shelton and husband, Ricky of Crawford; grandchildren, Bobby Spanos and wife, Maria of Crawford, Nicole Morrill of Arlington, Virginia, Chris Spanos and wife, Nicole, of Marble Falls, TX, Brandon Shelton of Nashville, Tennessee, Brianna Shelton and fiance, Kyle Hunstiger of Boston, Massachusetts, and Nick Shelton of College Station, TX; his great grandchildren, Ashlyn Spanos, Gracie Morrill, Kameron Spanos, Mia Morrill and Hunter Spanos. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Yvonne Spanos and brother-in-law, John Zerlentes of Illinois, nieces and nephews; devoted caregiver and friend, Audra Sypho; and pets, Gabe, Lady, Mouse and Podthia. Pallbearers are Bobby Spanos, Chris Spanos, Nick Shelton, Brandon Shelton, Stephen Spanos and Kyle Hunstiger. Memorials may be made to Fuzzy Friends Rescue. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.