Francis Ray Spencer, 88, of Argonia, Kansas, passed away Thursday afternoon, April 2, 2009 at the Clearwater Retirement Center, Clearwater, KS

Ray came into the world on August 10, 1920 in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He was the fourth of thirteen children born to the union of Jesse Leorn and Alice Viola (Bourlon) Spencer.

As a young man he enlisted in the Navy Seabee's in October 1941, served in the Pacific theatre during World War II, and was honorably discharged in November 1945.

On October 14, 1951 Edna Ruth Bond and he were married at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita Kansas.

Ray was an aviation machinist for 38 years at Cessna Aircraft Co. and retired in January of 2003. He also farmed, raising wheat and livestock on the home place north of Argonia since 1968.

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Argonia, Kansas where he served as a deacon and elder for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, working in the vegetable garden, raising Canna Lilies and attending his children and grandchildren's school activities and sporting events.

Ray is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edna, of the home, children Harvey and wife Carol Spencer of Simi Valley, CA, Janelle and husband David Smith of Woodward, OK, James and wife Lynnette Spencer of Wichita, KS, Glenn and wife Susan Spencer of Faucett, MO, and Marvin Spencer of Argonia, KS. There are ten grandchildren, Tara Gwynn and husband Tim of Colorado Springs, CO, Krista Spencer of Las Vegas, NV, Jarod Spencer of Tulsa, OK, Jessica Nunan of Kirksville, MO, Jed Spencer of San Diego, CA, Tyler Spencer of Faucett, MO, Lance Smith and Rachelle Smith of Woodward, OK, Lisa Hunsucker and Emily Cockerill of Simi Valley, CA; three great-grandchildren, Drew Cockerill of Simi Valley, CA and Emily Nunan of Kirksville, MO and Audrey Hunsucker of Simi Valley, CA.

He has four siblings still living, Jesse Spencer of Douglass, Kansas, Colene Langan of Bellingham, WA, Annabell Ross of Winfield, KS, and Carolyn Sue Teel of Rush Springs, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents and these siblings; Amiel Spencer, Albert Spencer, Jimmy Spencer, Virgil Spencer, Kenneth Spencer, Viola Richardson (his twin sister), Goldie Dean and Ruby Boswell.

A memorial has been established in Ray's name at the First Baptist Church, 201 S Plum, P.O. Box 177 Argonia, Kansas 67004.

Visitation held at the Day Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2009 with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services for Ray were held Monday, April 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, in Argonia, Kansas. Interment followed at the Argonia Cemetery.