Raymond Spencer

Raymond Rueben Spencer, 82, Olathe, passed away at the Olathe Medical Center on Friday, April 11, 2008. Raymond was born September 1, 1925, in Olathe to Clara (Nail) and Albert Spencer. He attended Olathe schools then went to work full-time at the age of sixteen. At eighteen, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific for more than two years. On April 23, 1946, Raymond married Betty Duffield. A tiny baby joined this union on December 2, 1946. Robert Eugene Spencer was born prematurely and passed away two days later. Raymond and Betty were blessed with a second son, Donald Ray Spencer, on July 5, 1956.

After honorary discharge from the Navy in 1946, Raymond spent four years working for Kansas Power and Light Company, Union Gas Company, and Johnson County LP Gas Company. In 1950, he went to work for the Olathe Ready-Mix company where he was a batch man for 28 years before he retired from the Operating Engineers. He then worked for the Olathe School District for 10 years.

For several years, Raymond attended Ocheltree Baptist Church and Stanley Baptist Temple. Raymond and Betty celebrated 61 years of marriage in April of 2007.

Raymond loved to tell stories. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He loved helping others. Most of all, he loved his family. He was the most loyal fan any two grandchildren could ask for – for anything and everything they did. Raymond will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Raymond was preceded in death by Betty in January, 2008; his parents; son Robert; sister Dorothy (Townsend) Collins; and brothers Merle D. Spencer and Chester E. Spencer. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Don and Cathy Spencer, grandchildren, Jeff and Catie Spencer, all of Stanley, Kansas; sister, Margaret Wallace, Olathe; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Olathe Hospice or Good Samaritan Nursing Center.