SPENCE, Herschel Ronald

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 9, 2007 Herschel Ronald Spence, 73, died Nov. 5, 2007, in Show Low. He was born Sept. 26, 1934, in Bazaar, Kan., to the late Charles and Carrie (Tarrant) Spence. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughter Carrie (Marshall) Spence Blaksley; son Wesley (Gail) Spence; sister Phyllis Payne; two granddaughters, Shannon and Loren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1940 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book visit www.owensmortuary.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 13, 2007 Herschel Ronald Spence, 73, beloved husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully at this home in Show Low Nov. 5, 2007, after a courageous ten-month battle with lymphoma. The youngest of 12 children. Herschel was born in Bazaar, Kan., Sept. 26, 1934, to Charles Wesley and Carrie Belle (Tarrant) Spence and grew up in the farming and ranching area of the Kansas Flint Hills. His family claimed he could ride a horse before he learned to walk, and his horse transported him to school during the primary grades. He graduated from Elmdale (Kansas) High School and attended Fort Scott College on basketball and football scholarships. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960, with assignments at Davis-Monthan Air Base in Tucson and Toul-Rosiere Air Base in France. He was health services director of the downtown Tucson YMCA, ran his own physical conditioning business and served as head bailiff of Pima County Superior Courts for 14 years. In 1977, he and his family moved to Show Low, where he was owner/operator of the Basket House Motel until 1986. He was self-employed until his retirement in 1995. A devoted family man, Herschel brought the gifts of love, humor, wit and joy to others and was known for his down-to-earth, common sense approach to life. He was always willing to lend a hand to others less fortunate, especially in the winter when times in Show Low were sometimes hard. He was an excellent horseman, at home riding through the forest, breaking a colt or training horses for others. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved camping, being outdoors and living in the White Mountains. One of his favorite pastimes was watching the birds and animals that visited his yard. Herschel was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Irving, Russell, Darrell, Charles ("Bud"), Jack and Jim; sisters Elreen, Clara Lea, Irene and Leona. He is survived by his wife and soul-mate of 51 years, Peggy (Dalton) Spence; daughter and son-in-law, Carrie Spence and Marshall Blaksley of Eagle River of Alaska; his son and daughter-in-law Wesley and Gail Spence of Coronado, Calif.; two granddaughters, Shannon and Loren of Coronado, Calif.; one sister, Phyllis Sparks of Los Angeles, Calif.; treasured nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as many dear friends. A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1940 S. Penrod Lane in Pinetop. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrance donations to your favorite charities, Community Presbyterian Church in Pinetop or Tucson Hospitality Inn, 2539 E. Edison, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-8881, a special home-away-from-home while Herschel was undergoing cancer treatment in Tucson. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book visit www.owensmortuary.com.