Louis Darald Spencer

Louis D. Spencer (“Spence” to friends and acquaintances) of East Wenatchee passed away on December 23, 2010. Born in Escalante, Utah, May 12, 1923, he is preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Vera and Elroy Davis, father Lewis Spencer; brothers: Warren Spencer Davis, Vernon and Millard Davis; sister Anne; first wife Shirley; and second wife Marjorie. He is survived by his daughters: Gayle Spencer of Wenatchee, WA; Lynda (Ted) Schlosser of Eatonville, WA; Pamela (David) Kayser of Bradenton, FL; Victoria (Charles) Williamson of Bloomington, MN; and stepdaughter Karen (Ron) Jones of Redmond, OR. Also his grandchildren, Kristin and Britteni Kayser; Garrett, Clarissa, and Miranda Williamson; his sisters: Almeda Haycock of Escalante, UT, and Joanne (Charles) Hill of Katy, TX; and his neighbor Brandon Zumwalt who adopted Spence as a fill in grandfather. Dad was born and raised in Escalante, Utah, worked on the farm, learned to hunt, fish and work with his hands. He worked for the 3Cs (Civilian Conservation Corp) when he was 18 and helped build what is called the Million Dollar Highway between Escalante and Bolder, UT and that’s when he started going by the nickname of Spence. Spence entered the Army in March 1943. He initially served in the Tank division but he wanted to be around airplanes. His commanding officer took a liking to him and transferred him into the Army Air Corps where he was attached to the 13th Air Force, 38th Air Engineering Squadron with a motto of: “We Maintain.” He was stationed in the Pacific Theatre in the Philippines as part of the P-38 fighter aircraft maintenance crew and then discharged in February 1946. Due to the Korean conflict he was recalled to service in September 1950 and honorably discharged from the Air Force May 1951 with a rank of Staff Sergeant. During his first military service, he was stationed for a time in Ephrata, WA, for training where he met his first wife, Shirley Antles who was active in the USO. They married on September 11, 1946. That same year Spence began study at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University), Logan, UT where he studied Agriculture and Horticulture. The Korean conflict interrupted his education but he finally completed his degree in May 1954. His young family settled in the Wenatchee Valley where he worked for his father-in-law, Leo Antles, as the foreman at the old Springland Orchards on Highway 97A. Additionally, during his career he owned his own orchard and worked as a field man (liaison) for Fruit Grower’s Service, Welch Apples, and the private orchards that provided them product. He also worked in the family business, Antles Pollen Company, and eventually became a partner until he sold his interest two years ago. His career in Horticulture spanned over 60 years. Spence was a member of the Masonic Lodge for many years and actively involved as a board member and Rainbow Dad for the Wenatchee Rainbow Assembly #4. In later years he enjoyed helping his second wife Marjorie with the annual Soroptimist fundraisers where his special contribution was chili. Spence was a supporter of the Republic Party and a member of the National Rifleman’s Association. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Legion of Chelan or Douglas County. A memorial event will be announced at a later date. Internment is in Escalante Cemetery, Escalante, UT. .

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Louis Darald Spencer

May 12, 1923 - December 23, 2010