Brian Purdy Handspicker, age 77, of McKinney, Texas, passed away January 19, 2012, in McKinney, Texas. He was born August 11, 1934, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, to Meredith and Louise (Donley) Handspicker. On June 16, 1956 Brian married Jackie Colclough, in Malden, Massachusetts. He graduated from Tufts University in 1956; he earned his Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Brian proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1956 until 1962, and in the Air Force Reserve from 1962 until 1985; he retired as a Major in the intelligence field. He worked for SDC, AT&T, Bell Corp., and came to Texas in 1990 where he worked at DSC. He officially retired in 2000. Brian had many talents, and he worked and lived all over the country and in Europe. Where ever he went, his family always came with him; family always came first. He loved woodworking and was a skilled carpenter—he made most of the furniture for his and Jackie’s first home. He was also an excellent skier, both down-hill and cross country. With an outgoing and buoyant personality, Brian never met a stranger. He made people at ease immediately and always had a good story (or yarn, as his New England ancestors would call it) to share. He enjoyed his travels, but was very happy to be in Texas. He embraced the atmosphere of the southwest which he had come to know through his love of Louis L’Amour stories. He enjoyed playing cowboy with his boots, his Stetson, and his duster coat. He was a man of many talents, diverse in his knowledge, and kind of heart, and he will be missed very much by all. He is survived by his wife, Jackie of McKinney; children, Brian D. Handspicker of North Adams, Massachusetts, Brooke Kelly and husband Charles of Cary, North Carolina, Heidi Lau and husband David of Palm Harbor, Florida, Holly McCarley and husband Michael of McKinney; grandchildren, Kelsey Kelly, Brian Kelly, Brett Lau, Ryan McCarley, and Rebecca McCarley; brother, Meredith Handspicker of Bennington, Vermont; numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives. Brian is preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas.