Bobby Dean Spence was born May 14, 1930 in Roscoe, Texas to R.Q. and Gracie Spence. He attended school in Roscoe and graduated from high school in Blackwell, Texas in 1947. He attended Tarleton Jr. College from 1947-1949 and Abilene Christian University 1949-1951, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Husbandry. He attended Texas Tech University in 1956 where he received certification in education. In 1965 he attended New Mexico State University where he received a Master of Arts Degree. Bob served in the United States Navy from 1951-1954 where he served as a corpsman on the US Destroyer Thomas E. Frazier and earned a Letter of Commendation for Leadership, receiving an Honorable Discharge in October 1954. Bob married Vera LaVonne Garrett on Nov. 30, 1952 in Lindale, Georgia. They were married until her death in 1985. Bob worked as a Vocational Agriculture Teacher for 17 years in the West Texas communities of Loop and Clint from 1957 to 1974. From 1974 to 1989 he worked as a Superintendent of schools in the Texas communities of Wilson, Booker, Poteet and Clyde. He received many commendations and honors throughout this career including the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations and the State Farmer Degree. Bob also was a member of Alpha Tau Alpha, the National Fraternity in Agriculture Education as well as Phi Delta Kappa where he was selected to receive National Honors in Education. Bob was actively involved in the communities in which he lived and worked, serving on many boards and financial committees. He was an active member of the Fabens Masonic Lodge 1202. He was on the Texas Board responsible for revamping State Board Policy. He was a member of the Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs. Bob married his beloved wife of 12 years, Jennie in 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Jennie Spence of the home; daughters, Sheila Leary and her husband Mike of Austin, Sheryl Childress and her husband Dickie of Perryton and Shelly Shoup and her husband Denny of Smyrna, Del.; son, Roger Spence of Pampa, Texas; sister, Betty Ware and her husband Harold of Granbury; step daughters, Vickie James and her husband Nickey of Prosper, Carol Sherman and her husband Jonathan of San Antonio; step son, Danny Mathews and wife Karen of Denton; grandchildren, Meghan Leary, Brandie Matthews, Cade Childress, Brooke Warren, Keith Leary, Ryan Westendorf, Cole Childress, Joshua Shoup and step-grandchildren Jennifer Kooncz, Luke James, Brad James, Danielle Mathews and Madeline Mathews; and many grandchildren-in-law and step grandchildren-in-law, 17 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater is in charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Blackwell at 10 a.m. Military and Masonic graveside rites will follow at Blackwell Cemetery.
Family visitation will be Friday, May 1, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Blackwell Cemetery Assn., P.O. Box 266, Blackwell, Texas, 79506.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by McCoy Funeral Home - Sweetwater.
3 Entries
Dear Sheila, Sheryl and family: I was so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I have many good memories of him, your mom, and all of you. Those were nice times in Clint! May your memories also comfort you and bring you peace. Thinking of you, Susie (Lampert) Eastman
Susan Eastman
May 15, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
A. H.
May 14, 2015
I was not ready to let you go Daddy, but also thank our Lord you are no longer in pain. We spoke many times per week, sometimes twice a day; I miss your voice, stories & our talks. My heart is saddened, but know you & mom are angels watching over us, Love you Daddy
Sheryl Spence Childress
May 6, 2015
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
May
1
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
McCoy Funeral Home - Sweetwater401 East Third St., Sweetwater, TX 79556
Funeral services provided by:
McCoy Funeral Home - Sweetwater401 East Third St., Sweetwater, TX 79556
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more