Michael William Spradlin

Mike loved to crack a dirty joke, bribe a house band to back him on Mustang Sally, and cook for the ones he loved. 

Michael W. Spradlin was born August 24, 1960 to Joseph and Jean Spradlin on the United States Air Force base in Goose Bay, Labrador, where Mike’s father served. After serving in the US Coast Guard, Mike moved to Southwest Florida, where he and his then wife Kae welcomed two daughters, Lauren and Abby. In 2001, he met the love of his life Sara Martz and her daughter Taylor.  

After beginning their romance in Florida, Mike and Sara moved to Colorado to begin their joint business venture, Rib City Grill. Over the course of their life together, Mike and Sara were blessed with three restaurants, a large, blended family, passports full of stamps, and an impressive amount of concert ticket stubs to show for it.  

While doing business on the Western Slope, Mike was passionate about giving back to the community. Over the years he volunteered with Colorado Discover Ability and sat on the board of KAFM radio station.  

During Spring of 2020, Mike became ill with an unspecified pulmonary disease and became dependent on oxygen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even while tethered to an oxygen compressor, he continued to cook, play guitar, and enjoy the outdoors when and how he could.  

In April 2021, thanks to a generous organ donor and with the help of a vigorous and unwavering team at The Norton Transplant Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, Mike received a double lung transplant. His speedy, record-breaking recovery earned him the nickname “Golden Boy” amongst his doctors and the transplant community. His team’s commitment to his wellness and quality of life continued long after he returned to Colorado, allowing him the gift of three more years of fulfilling life he would not have had otherwise. With this time, he became even more involved in his community, and never took a day for granted.  

He is survived by his business and life partner Sara, and his three daughters Lauren Spradlin, Abby Spradlin, and Taylor Thomas. Michael W. Spradlin passed away peacefully at home in the Redlands on August 8, 2024.  

A memorial happy hour to pay tribute will be held at Adobe Creek Golf Course on Friday, August 23, 2024 from 5-7pm.

 In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family suggests a donation to NoMoO2, a non-profit dedicated to supporting other families navigating the challenging path of transplant and recovery.   A QR code can be found below.