Dr. John Carl Spivey Jr.'s Obituary
On June 8, 2025, John Carl Spivey passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was born on February 25, 1938, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to parents Virginia Mae Spivey (nee Harrell) and John Carl Spivey, Sr. John's life was marked by a series of remarkable achievements, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to the well-being of others.
A distinguished academic, John attended the University of Virginia, earning degrees from the School of Engineering and School of Medicine. In 1967 he received his Doctorate from UVA and completed his residency at the University of Florida. John returned to Virginia to serve as a physician in the Air Force for a few years. His passion for medicine and dedication to patient care led him to Fredericksburg, where he began practicing Gastroenterology at the Pratt Clinic, eventually becoming one of the founding members of Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, John was a man of many passions. Beginning in his early years, he enjoyed the peace of canoeing and fishing in the James and Shenandoah Rivers, and eventually built a home near the bank of the Rappahannock. He was never able to remain idle for long and often had ongoing building projects around his home. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking, talents passed down from his father. He had a deep love for diving, capturing the beauty of underwater life through his photography. One of his favorite pursuits was flying, and after John obtained his Private Pilot License, he enjoyed flying down to the warmer waters of the Bahamas and Cayman Islands. In his later years, he found joy in playing the guitar once again.
John is survived by his daughters, Lara Kristin Spivey and Elizabeth Allison Westbank (nee Spivey); sister, Mary (Martin) Wehrle (nee Spivey); brothers, Ray (MaryAnne) Spivey, and Leslie (Maura) Spivey; and his dear friend, Monica Philbrick. John's family, including his beloved granddaughters, Allison and Sarah; as well as his first wife, Melissa, were central to his life and happiness. John Carl Spivey’s legacy will be that of kindness, dedication, and innovation.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dominique Spivey.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. Family, friends, and all those whose lives John touched are invited to celebrate his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting organizations that are important to his family. Donations may be made in honor of John to Mary Washington Hospice or to plant Trees in Memory through the National Arbor Foundation.
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