Joe G Spann

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved grandfather, father, husband, brother, and friend, Joe G. Spann. For reasons too quirky and complicated to explain here, he was called Pwa rather than just dad or grandpa. Pwa was born on October 22, 1951 in Phillips, TX. He was more comfortable with loud engines and exhaust fumes than a desk and papers. He was focused on going fast rather than going far. He raced motorcycles professionally for years. When he bolted his official AMA national number ‘10g’ onto his newly uncrated Harley Davidson xr750 flat-track racer, it was like Clark Kent donning his cape. Before the Harley however, Pwa fell in love with a young beauty named Jeanette Riley. Thankfully, his love for Jeanette would eventually outlast the Harley. He was loyal and loving to Jeanette in marriage for 39 years until her passing in 2011. They raised two pretty fantastic children who now have families of their own including 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. After Jeanette came along, in the press of raising little kids, Pwa fell in love again. This time it was a long-haired hippie carpenter named Jesus Christ. His love for Jesus would grow to surpass everything else. Pwa was always testifying to the power of God to change lives. He prayed for everyone he could, sang goofy worship songs in public, and positively radiated the genuine love of God. Most people have heard that God loves them, but if you ever met Pwa, you genuinely felt that love in an undeniable way. He was a small business owner who ran Motorcycle Specialties in Bartlesville, OK for 10 years. His reputation as a motorcycle expert meant people would travel across multiple states to bring their machines to him for repairs or advice. His time as a business owner led to teaching a small business course full-time at Tri-County Tech in Bartlesville, then to helping his son with accounting and finance in his business as well. Beyond all of his professional endeavors, he loved everyone he met as deeply as he could: co-workers, strangers on the side of the highway, white-collar executives, blue collar laborers, and everyone in between. After Jeanette passed, he returned to his first love, racing. He became a Chaplain with Motor Racing Outreach, serving at motorcycle races throughout the region. He spent most of his time at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit as both a COMMA race technician and chaplain. He’d lead Sunday morning services for all of the “Race Fans and Jesus Freaks”. What he cherished the most were the individual relationships with all of the racers and workers. He knew their lives and troubles, prayed with them and for them, wept beside their hospital beds, and rejoiced in their moments of victory. He was the hands and feet of Christ in their midst. But Pwa had more love to give and was missing something for his last lap. Then he found Jan Adams. Pwa and Jan delighted in each other and made the most of their 4 years of marriage before Pwa got his final checkered flag. Pwa passed on January 29, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Well done on the final podium Pwa. He is survived by his wife, Jan Adams-Spann, his children Christina Gayle Gillum and Joe David (Anjanette), his grandchildren, Rachel Vandepol (Wyatt), Parker Cook, Sophia Spann, Josselyn Spann, Norah Spann, Forest Cook, Jude Spann, his great grandchildren Emma Julia Vandepol, Corrie Elizabeth Vandepol, and Judah Lane Vandepol, his sisters Rose Mary Longnecker, Pepper Black, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Mary Rose Spann, his first wife, Jeanette Spann and his grandson, Phoenix Gabriel Cook. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, February 5th at 2:00 pm at Spirit Church, 2121 S Madison Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Joe G Spann

October 22, 1951 - January 29, 2026