Obituary for Leslie Spears

Ponca City Now - April 28, 2014 12:00 am

Leslie Lorenzel Spears of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Monday morning, April 28, 2014, at his home at the age of 80 years.

Leslie Lorenzel Spears was born on December 1, 1933, in Hoffman, Oklahoma, to Lorenzel Byrd and Mae Florence (Hill) Spears. At the age of ten he moved with his family to Blackwell where he attended Blackwell Public Schools. Following his education he began working as a butcher for the Turvey Packing Company in Blackwell. He married Barbara Ann Newman on October 30, 1953, in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and they made Blackwell their home. They later moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where he continued as a butcher for Glover Packing Company. His job also took them to Alva, Oklahoma, where he worked for Shalloups Packing Company and to Harper, Kansas, as a butcher for Harper Packing Company. In 1972 they moved to Tonkawa and he began working as a meat inspector for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. He retired in 1995. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a member of the Gold Wings Road Riders Club. He also enjoyed fishing, and raising flowers and animals.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Spears of Blackwell; two daughters, Deborah LaBlue of Blackwell and Pam Purdy and husband John of Blackwell; two sons, Steven and Gary Spears both of Blackwell; three sisters, Ethel Herren of Blackwell, Alice Berglund of Blackwell, and Kathy Ellis of Ajo, Arizona; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Lonnie and Ricky Spears; three brothers, David, Jerry and Alfred Spears; and a grandson, Cody Spears.

Services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3rd in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with James W. Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be J. L. Purdy, Lonnie Purdy, Willard Tattershall, Richard LaBlue and Timmy Spears. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be the great grandchildren of Leslie Spears.

A memorial has been established in his honor with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.