Harry Spurling finished his earthly course on Tuesday evening, January 31, 2023, at home in Willow Creek. He was 74 years old.

He was born in Southern California in 1948. However, he was fond of saying he was made in Japan, where his parents, R. Wayne and Ellen Spurling, met after WWII.

The family moved to Sunny Brae, Arcata, where Harry eventually became the oldest of six children. As a young boy, the neighborhood was his playground. He loved riding bikes and playing in the woods with his friends and brothers.

As he reached adulthood, he searched for the purpose of life. That journey took him back to the book his mother had read to him as a child. Recognizing the Bible as the truth, Harry began to associate with the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and made it his life’s work to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

On January 3, 1976, he married Patricia, his faithful wife for 47 years. During their early years, they traveled to the Sioux and Navajo reservations where they shared their hope that God’s Kingdom will restore peace on earth among every nation, tribe and language. (Revelation 7:9, 14) Later, they settled in Willow Creek.

During their 42 years living in Willow Creek, Harry and Patricia loved hiking and have been to many of the lakes in the Trinity Alps. In the past several years, they also took yearly trips with Patricia’s sister and brother-in-law to such places as Lassen and Yosemite, where Harry enjoyed seeing evidence of Jehovah God’s handiwork.

All along, Harry worked diligently to provide for his family. He was well known as a jack-of-all-trades in the Trinity River area. He could clean it, unlock it, replace it, mow it, paint it — all while being the best neighbor he could be.

Remembering his roots, Harry took on the job of preserving his father’s photographs taken in post-war Japan. He painstakingly digitized hundreds of images and then curated gallery showings at Humboldt State University and in Weaverville.

Harry has been described as a helpful and generous friend, a true brother when there was a need. Countless friends and family received his help on a moment’s notice. He was willing to travel hundreds of miles when needed to assist a friend in distress. For those who knew him, the name Harry Spurling will bring to mind a man who gave thoughtful advice rooted in Scripture. His comments, his public discourses, and his prayers revealed the depth of his spirituality.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, R. Wayne and Ellen Spurling and his brother William Spurling.

He is survived by Patricia, his wife, by his brother, Patrick Spurling of Zurich, Switzerland, sister-in-law, Jo Anne Spurling, sisters and their husbands, Joy and Mark Smelser of Independence, Mo, C. Michelle and Ron Pontoni of Bayside, and Melody and Troy Poff of Redwood Valley. And he left behind his loved ones in the Willow Creek Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The family wishes to sincerely thank Kathryn Stollmeyer PA-C, for her compassionate care of Harry.

A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 65 Blue Jay Lane, Willow Creek, on February 18th, at 2 p.m. It will also be streamed via Zoom. ID: 878 1554 8254. Passcode: 692952

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Harry Spurling’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.