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Charles "Charlie" Spence
1939 - 2026
FUNERAL HOME
Charles Spence Obituary
03/31/1939 - 02/15/2026
Charles "Charlie" Spence, 86, of Midland, Texas, passed away February 15, 2026, at home surrounded by family. He was born March 31, 1939, in Steele, Missouri, to Grace Gertrude Huddleston and Aaron Burr Spence.
Charlie served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1963 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He enjoyed a distinguished career as publisher of the Midland Reporter-Telegram, where he championed a free press and civic responsibility. A lifelong pilot and stunt pilot, Charlie also loved motorcycle riding and running. He volunteered tirelessly with United Way, the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and many other local organizations. He loved life, lived it to the fullest, and believed in treating all people with dignity and respect.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Ann Spence; his parents; his brothers Jerry Spence, Royce Spence, Jim Huddleston and Joe Huddleston; and his sister Nona Morris.
He is survived by his son David Spence and fiancée Kelly Campbell; his daughter Pamela Spence Foster and husband Dan Foster; grandchildren Aaron Spence, Nicole Diamond (Joe Diamond), Ryan Foster and Anna Foster; and great-grandchildren Connor Diamond, Brayden Diamond and Jasmine Paulson.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 9:30 AM Thursday, February 19, 2026 at First Baptist Church Chapel, with interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
The family expresses their gratitude to Hospice of Midland for their unwavering support and comfort and extends heartfelt thanks to his church family at First Family Fellowship Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Midland Soup Kitchen, Hospice of Midland, The Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Spence
3 Entries
Aubrey Webb
February 19, 2026
Pam, David, I am so sorry I could not be with you and your Dad today! My wife is having health issues.
Charlie was one of a kind. He was a kind, gentle and compassionate man.
He was an outstanding newspaper publisher and his staff thought the world of him!
I am remembering a meeting we attended in NYC. We had some free time. Charlie asked me what I was going to do and I said go for a run in Central Park. "Mind if I come along" he asked. "Not at all" I said. I let him know (since I was five years younger) that I would run five miles and probably more. I was an avid runner back then.
I stopped short of three miles. I could not handle Charlie´s pace.
I always had respect for Charlie and that day added even more.
He will be missed by the many, many people he befriended.
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Byron Battles
February 18, 2026
Obviously, Charlie was a truly multi-talented man with a huge commitment to his work and to the Midland community. But he was a steadfast friend who cared for, tended to, and supported his friends in many ways that were "behind the scenes," e.g., taking friends to doctors' appointments, making sure they took their meds, checking on house issues, making sure they did not become isolated. I hope the Midland community remembers and honors his memory, and that his family has only good memories in their time of grief.
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Memorial Events
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Feb
18
Funeral services provided by:
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory - Midland3800 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX 79705
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