Earl Spangler, Fort Pierce

Earl Spangler, 79, died Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce. He was born January 24, 1930 in New Bern, NC, but spent a major portion of his life in Florida, first in Cocoa Beach and then Fort Pierce.

He was a Veteran of the Korean War serving in the Air Force as a Top Gunner on B-29s. Afterwards, he supervised the test and check-out of the first manned moon landing vehicle. Later he worked for the Department of Navy, helping to design the Vertical (sic) Launch Missile.

Survivors include his son, Earl Spangler, Jr.; his mother, Mildred Mish; and his brother, David Spangler. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vicki Kourkoulis.

He was a member of the Fort Pierce Coast Guard Auxiliary, Masons Lodge, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, and the Elks Lodge.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd, at Yates Funeral Home, 1101 South US Hwy. #1, Fort Pierce. A Memorial Service will be held at Florida Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 5950 South US Hwy. #1, Rockledge, FL, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th.

Friends and Family may sign a guest book at www.yatesfuneralhome.com