Herschel Ronald Spence

Herschel Ronald Spence, 73, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at this home in Show Low on November 5, 2007, after a courageous ten-month battle with lymphoma. The youngest of 12 children, Herschel was born in Bazaar, Kansas, September 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 fourteen 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, witt, 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 & son-in-law, Carrie Spence & Marshall Blaksley of Eagle River, AK; his son & daughter-in-law, Wesley & Gail Spence of Coronado, CA; 2 granddaughters, Shannon and Loren of Coronado, CA; 1 sister, Phyllis Sparks of Los Angeles, CA; treasured nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; as well as many dear friends. A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, November 10, 2007 at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1940 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest remembrance donations to your favorite charities or to 2 which were special to Herschel; Community Presbyterian Church, Pinetop, or Tucson Hospitality Inn, 2539 E. Edison, Tucson, AZ 85716 (Phone: 520-881-8881), a special home away from home while Herschel was undergoing cancer treatment in Tucson.