Marion Darrell 'Bud' Spence
Marion Darrell 'Bud' Spence,
78, passed quietly in his sleep on Nov. 12, 2008, after a short but courageous
battle with lung cancer. He was at home with his family in Atascadero, Calif.
Bud was born in Emporia on
Nov. 20, 1929. He married his wife, Patsy Sharon Flinn, on July 29, 1952, in
Newton.
Bud served as a first
lieutenant in the Army from 1946 through 1957 and also served one year as a
sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the military, Bud spent many
years as a successful salesman, first in insurance, and then in the dairy
industry throughout the Midwest.
In the mid-1970s, he and his
family relocated to southern California, where he started his own heating and
air conditioning business. After retiring to Atascadero, Bud continued to do
landscape work to keep himself active.
Bud was a handsome man of
great character who worked hard his entire life, instilling by example that
strong work ethic in his children, never failing to provide for them and his
wife, Pat. His family was the center of his life. He loved babies of all kinds,
be they human or any other of God's creatures.
Bud was an intelligent,
self-made and self-educated man, a student of life who would gladly share his
knowledge and opinions through stories and conversation. Those who were lucky
enough to know him will never forget his smile, his twinkling blue eyes, full
head of thick wavy hair, laughter and great sense of humor. His was a seemingly
endless well from which he could draw anecdotes and jokes (often very punny)
relevant to any situation. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by, and will
continue to live in the hearts of, his wife, Pat; his children, Randy, Sharon,
Sandy, John 'Yogi,' Pammy, Laurie and their spouses; 16 grandchildren; and nine
great-grandchildren.
Per Bud's request, there will
be no funeral services; however a memorial will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at
Shammel Park in Cambria, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, the
family asks donations be made to the American Cancer Society or your local
hospice.
