Spencer Yancey
Yancey, Spencer 106, Sales Manager,
died Monday, January 9, 2017. Memorial Service will be at 10:00 A.M.
Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Hillside Christian Church. Preceded in
death by his parents, Charles and Orrie Yancey; wife, Charlotte M.
Yancey; sister, Mary Margaret Yancey. Survived by his nephew, Mike
(Kim) Dennis of Mesa, AZ; great-nieces, Mary Margaret Dennis of
Seattle, WA, Ann Miller Meyer of Minneapolis, MN. Spencer Yancey was
born in Hunnewell, MO and lived on a farm where he helped plow fields
with a four-horse team plow beginning at age 12. School was two and a
half miles away; resourcefully, he walked there - these were horse
and buggy days. His family didn't own a car until he was 10. Spencer
stated they really had some rough times, but everyone did. Spencer
graduated from high school in Palmyra, MO, attended Culver-Stockton
College in Canton, MO receiving a BS degree. His first teaching job
was in Shelbyville, MO, $800/year. His second year he received a 20%
pay cut. Spencer had the "opportunity" to coach basketball
and become superintendent of schools; his responsibilities lied
between separate schools for colored and white students. Bankers Life
Insurance Company was Spencer's next adventure. He worked for the
company for three years before being drafted into the Army. He was
stationed at Camp Roberts, CA for basic training in June before Pearl
Harbor in December. He was sent home after his 90 days of training
because he was over 28 years old. Returning to civilian life, he
bought a car, began work, and eloped with Charlotte Miller. Thirty
days later he was called up and sent to Ft. Belvoir, VA where he went
to OCS training and was made Lieutenant of Army Engineers. Spencer
spent five years doing active duty and twenty years in the Reserves,
retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Spencer and Charlotte kept their
marriage a secret from 1941 - 1943 because where Charlotte was
teaching, no female teacher on staff was to be married. After the
service, Spencer joined George H. Lee firm out of Omaha. For the next
five years, he traveled the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and
Oregon with Charlotte accompanying him until he was transferred to
Kansas. Spencer was a sales manager for PPG Industries for 24 years,
retiring at the age of 65. After keeping an eye on the classifieds
"just looking" for something to do, he answered an ad and
interviewed with Bob Langenwalter, CEO at Central Bank and Trust. He
worked there four days a week for 6.5 years as Marketing Officer.
Charlotte and Spencer were very active in the Hillside Christian
Church, both serving as Elders, Charlotte as teacher and Spencer as
treasurer. After fighting four different cancers since 1975,
Spencer's wife of 60 years, Charlotte, died in 2002. Spencer says
although it was a difficult time for both of them, they enjoyed
traveling to all 50 states, took several cruises and three trips to
Europe. Spencer volunteered for the American Red Cross starting at
the age of 73 for 13 years, helping service men. He was a Shriner for
68 years, a member of the American Red Cross, Retired Business Men's
Club, ROA, USAR, Elks, MOAA, and Downtown Kiwanis Club. Spencer moved
to Larksfield Place 15 years ago. He participated in Bridge and Bible
Study. At the Fitness Club, Spencer was in Better Balance and
Vita-band classes. He participated in Chair Weights, Water Fitness,
did his own independent workout including stretching, Nu-step,
elliptical, going up and down the stairs, and abdominal work. Spencer
was the Fitness Club's "poster child." He maintained a
rounded program and was consistent with it. He played golf and tennis
and he loved to walk. He has been an avid water exerciser for over 30
years. The Fitness Club appreciated and admired his enthusiasm for
being proactive in his independence. Memorials have been established
with: Hillside Christian Church 8330 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS,
67206; Kansas Christian Home, 1035 SE 3rd St., Newton, KS 67114.
Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel. Share tributes online at:
www.dlwichita.com
