Joe Byron Spence

Joe Byron Spence, 93, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014, at the Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater, KS. He was born on June 16, 1921 in Pauls Valley, OK, to James Dee and Lula (Linn) Spence, the youngest of 9 kids.
After living in Oklahoma and Texas, his family moved to California and he graduated from Chowchilla, CA High School. He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. On May 18, 1946, he married Geraldine "Jerri" Strain in Anthony, NM. Three children were born to this union. Joe graduated from Pittsburg State Teachers College in 1957 and taught Industrial Arts at Glen Elder and Coldwater, KS, until he retired in 1985. He also earned a Master's Degree at Fort Hays State Teachers College. He was an outstanding educator earning Outstanding Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in Kansas in 1976. After Jerri passed away, he married Virginia Cary White.
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Coldwater, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, sisters, and his first wife: Jerri.
Survivors include his wife: Virginia; his three children and spouses: Deanna and John Chenoweth, Byron and Julie Spence, and Dan and Marlene Spence; and his grandchildren: Jacob, Elizabeth, D.J. and Jennifer, Ian and Katy Spence.

Friends may call from 1-7, Sunday, October 26, 2014, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS (Family Will Be Present from 5-7).

Funeral service is at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2014, at the First Christian Church in Coldwater, KS, with Virgil White and Andrew Evans presiding.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater, KS, with full military honors.

Memorials may be sent to First Christian Church in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.