Thed Spree

On December 11, 2022, the world lost a "Man Among Men" with the death of Robert Thetford ("Thed") Spree at age 75. Thed was born on August 17, 1947, to Delphine Thetford Spree and Henry Robert Spree in Boligee, Alabama. He attended elementary school in Boligee and graduated from Greene County High School in 1965. Thed was an all-conference player in both football and basketball.
Thed earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Livingston University in 1969, and received a Master's in Counseling from Livingston University in 1970. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
In 1970, Thed began his career as a catfish, cattle, and timber producer when he and his mother established Double Wheel Ranch. During his career in the catfish industry, Thed served on the State Catfish Committee, the Catfish Farmers of America Board of Directors, and chairman of the West Alabama Catfish Producers Association. Thed received numerous national and state honors for his contributions to the catfish industry.
Thed was a devoted husband to Julia ("Judy") Burke Spree for over 48 years, and a proud father to Sage Thetford Spree, Mary Kennon Spree Lewis, and Burke McKee ("Kee") Spree. He enjoyed watching his children play sports and spending time with his family hunting, fishing, and boating. Thed's passion in his younger days was flying airplanes. He held a commercial pilot license and was an instrument-rated pilot. Thed was named in Who's Who in American Aviation.
Thed loved the athletic programs at the University of West Alabama and Alabama football. He was a grill master that built all of the grills he used in barbeque competitions, and he truly relished entertaining and cooking for friends. Thed followed politics and was quick to support his favorite candidates.
Thed served on the Board of Trustees at the University of West Alabama for 34 years and was honored when the UWA rodeo arena was renamed the Hines-Spree Rodeo Complex. He also served on the board for the Greene County Farmers Federation. Thed was a proud member of Dollarhide Camp and the Greene County Cattlemen's Association. He served as the senior warden of St. Mark's Episcopal Church since 1976.
Thed is survived by his wife, Judy, and his children and adored grandchildren: Sage (Anne Kimball) Spree and Saylor McKee Spree, Wells Olivia Spree, and Sage Elizabeth Spree; Mary Kennon (Kile) Lewis and Salter Spree Lewis and Anderson Burke Lewis; Kee (Danielle) Spree and Robert Royce Spree and Burke McKee Spree, Jr.
Along with his quick wit, love of a good joke, his relentless determination to succeed, and his generous spirit, Thed will be remembered for his love of the land. He worked tirelessly to conserve his farm, and this is his legacy to his family and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park & Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Boligee, Alabama with graveside to follow in St. Mark's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Mark's Cemetery Fund, 5111 U.S. Highway 11, Boligee, AL 35443 or to the UWA Rodeo Team.
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