Little League® International mourns the passing of George Spooner, Jr., a member of the Jumbo Pretzel team during the first Little League season in 1939. He was 87.
A native of Williamsport, Pa., Mr. Spooner was among the group of original Little Leaguers® honored during Little League’s 75th anniversary celebration in the summer of 2014.
Following graduation from Williamsport High School, Mr. Spooner served in the Navy during the final year of World War II. He married Dorene Mowery in 1949. He spent more than 30 years with Allegheny (USAir) Airlines, rising to an executive position with the company.
Mr. Spooner, a resident of Palm Bay, Fla., and was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, who passed away in 1999. He was also preceded in death by his parents, George and Maragret; brothers, Norman, Robert, and Millard; and sisters, Edith and Claire. Mr. Spooner is survived by his daughter, Jeanne and son-in-law Joseph Hillebrand; sister, Betty Campbell; brother, Harold Spooner; and sister-in-law Bettilou Mowery, as well as many nieces, nephews, and family.