Gale William Spicer

Gale W. Spicer 82, of St. Joseph, MO, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at his home in St. Joseph. He was born July 7, 1940 in Amazonia, MO, son of the late Anita and John Spicer. He graduated from Savannah High School, class of 1958. In 1959 he married Janet Erler, the mother of Kenny, Paul, and Debbie, and they later divorced. In 1970 he married Sherry Gardner, mother of Stacy, Darin, and Cory. Gale was a longtime Union Sheet Metal worker, working many years at Seaman-Schuske Metal Works. He was a member of the Local 2 Sheet Metal Workers Union. He served as Past President of Local 81 of Sheet Metal Workers, prior to the merge with Local 2. He was also a longtime member of Travelers Protective Association, having served as State Secretary. Gale was an avid pool player, holding numerous trophies. He loved to travel, spending many winters in Brownsville, Texas, and visiting Mexico. He enjoyed old cars, especially Cadillac's, going to car shows and swap meets, and sales and flea markets. Gale ran the former Granny's Old Fashioned Lemonade and later Spicer's Old Fashioned Lemonade concessions. He was an Elvis Presley, and NASCAR fan, and in his earlier years, he enjoyed the camaraderie with his work buddies and always having fun. Gale was preceded in death by wife, Sherry Lynn Spicer in 2021, daughter, Debbie Spicer, and grandson, Joshua Spicer, his parents, step-father, Kenneth Stafford, brother, Gary Spicer, and former wife, Janet Spicer. Survivors include: sons, Kenny Spicer of St. Joseph, Paul (Dianne) Spicer of Cameron, MO, Stacy (Leigh) Spicer of Savannah, MO, Darin (Angela) Spicer of St Joseph, and Cory Spicer of Easton, MO, sister, Kay Winkelman of St. Joseph, grandchildren, Dakota, Dillon, Bryan, Kaleb, Brandon, Luke, Eric, Derek, Kerra, and Hannah, 3 great-grandchildren, Parker, Natalie and Nicholas, sister-in-law, Joyce Spicer, aunt, Marge Cerenich of CO, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream will be 7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Pastor Jim Barnett, officiating. Mr. Spicer will be cremated following services. Memorials are requested to the Travelers Protective Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.