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CD Springs
SIKESTON — Charles David “CD” Springs passed away on Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on Jan. 26, 1938, to the proud, excited young parents, Charles Deward (Cotton) Springs and Martha Allard Springs near Sikeston.
Young CD played valiantly on the offensive line for the mighty Sikeston HS Bulldogs varsity football team for most of his HS years. He was also renowned for his “cool” Indian Scout motorcycle and later years his fun convertible, for which there are a few stories that his Dad may or may not have heard about!
His life was forever changed when he crossed paths with the lovely Lenora Jameson during his
senior year at SHS. Their first date was New Year’s Eve 1956 and as a couple never looked back from there. Together they enrolled at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), him for Civil Engineering, her in office administration. They married on Sept. 1, 1958, at St Francis Xavier Catholic church in Sikeston. Not ones to remain idle, they were soon blessed with their first child, Charles “Chuck” Deward Springs II on July 2, 1959. He was soon joined by his siblings, Christopher David (Sept. 6, 1961) and Martha Marie (Oct. 9, 1963).
During this time, CD left the Oxford campus to work for the Missouri Highway department that would find the young Springs family living in first Poplar Bluff, Missouri, then Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A couple of years later, he came home to Sikeston to join his father’s growing local company, C.D. Springs Trucking. He worked there in many capacities including earning his private pilot’s license so that he could fly mechanics/parts out wherever needed to optimize repair costs for the company. When his father decided to sell his company in the early ’70s, he joined forces with brother-in-law, Sam Potashnick, to form a partnership providing a fleet of dump trucks to address heavy road construction projects as a subcontractor for work that included the I-240 north loop in Memphis, Tennessee, I-55 completion between Caruthersville, Missouri,-Blytheville, Arkansas, road work in southern Louisiana and many others.
As business climates changed and the partnership dissolved, CD struck out as an entrepreneur Owner/Operator truck driver with his own trusty semi. He and his faithful road companion, Tiger (a 7lb white Maltese) ran the road of the lower 48 for many years as a successful team! In 1988 CD came off the road to reunite with his sister, Janie and brother-in-law Sam Potashnick, in their fledgling trucking company, S&J Potashnick Transportation, Inc or (PTI) as their Safety Director. During his 36-plus years at PTI he would go on to fill many different roles there, working tirelessly every day until his last watch, Nov. 12, 2024. Once asked by someone about the availability of taking over his position, he responded, “I’ll be here until I’m not able” and he proved his statement true!
CD had many passions in life but two of his most enduring were his love of hunting and participating as a volunteer at the annual Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo. Every September 1st, would find CD somewhere in a farm field, getting his limit on opening day of dove season. This was sometimes a challenge at times, as this was also his wedding anniversary but his devoted wife rarely complained. Surely the statute of limitation has expired so can share that quite often this would be a family affair including Mom and the kids, who all conveniently had hunting licenses substantially increasing his “legal daily limit”! You would also find him avidly pursuing duck hunting, deer hunting as those seasons came along.
CD joined the Sikeston Jaycees in his early 20s where he became involved as all in the organization, with the fairly new at the time annual Rodeo. Side by side with his wife Nora, they tirelessly worked every year in some capacity as volunteers, mostly behind the scenes in some food preparation capacity. This most recently 2024 Rodeo is likely the first rodeo that he missed (due to health issues) in over 60-plus years!
CD was a lifelong member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. He would proudly point out his No. 5 membership number recognizing him as one of the founding members of the Sikeston order. Additionally he belonged to the Sikeston Kiwanis Club for many years and regularly participated in numerous civic projects.
Throughout his life he was the silent hero in the background, working tirelessly in whatever endeavor at the time to provide for his family, his beloved wife and children. Through all their years they worked as a team to provide a loving environment and ensured that all of us never lacked for essential things. Together they are amazing examples of parents that supported their children, encouraged their success, expected high achievements, but there to pick up the pieces when any stumbled but never with judgment or condemnation if efforts fell short. As a parent, I constantly strive to match the examples those two provided me and my siblings.
CD was proud to be a “simple man” with deep love for his family, a wicked sense of humor, sometimes the curmudgeon but a heart bigger than Texas.
Charles David Springs is survived by his wife, Lenora Marie (Jameson) Springs; children, Charles Deward Springs, II (Laura), Christopher David Springs, and Martha Springs LaPietra; grandchildren, Christopher Springs (Jennifer), Ryan Springs, Eric LaPietra (Cristina) and Brent LaPietra (Grace). He also leaves behind his sister, Janie Springs Potashnick (Sam); nephews, Sammy Potashnick; nieces Carrie Potashnick, Kris Kafka Davis; and a number of additional nephews, nieces, grand nieces, and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 5p.m. with A Celebration of Life from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Springs family.
The family would encourage donations in his name to his beloved B.P.O Elks Lodge No. 2319 in Sikeston.