Bobby Gene Spencer, 72
Funeral services for Bobby Gene Spencer, 72, of West Plains, were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 7, at Dora High School, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Spencer died Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at his home.
He was born Dec. 4, 1951, at Gainesville, to Lewis Spencer and Donna Spoon Spencer. Bobby received his Master’s of Education Degree from Missouri State University.
On June 3, 1972, he married the love of his life, Rosa Leah Story Spencer. They were married for 36 years. From this union they had three children and seven grandchildren: Freddy Spencer and wife, Jessica, and their two children, Emma and Paxton; Darla Spencer and her two children, Morgan and Madison; and Susan Spencer Howard and husband, Ronnie, and their three children, Spencer, Cooper and James. He was a preacher at Pomona Church of Christ for 10 years and taught Sunday school his entire life.
Bobby was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish for white bass and walleye. He loved fishing in his lakes at his farm. He also enjoyed bow hunting, turkey, deer, elk and squirrel hunting. Bobby liked playing golf with his loved ones, floating the river and snorkeling. He was a blueberry farmer and loved to grow and pick berries.
His true love was coaching basketball. He loved yelling at his kids to arch the ball. When he was coaching you could frequently hear him say things like “not harder, higher” or “nothing but net” or his catch phrase “arch the ball.” Bobby was a school teacher for 42 years and taught at Richland, Koshkonong, Lutie, Viola (Arkansas), Mountain View, Bakersfield and Dora. He was awarded Teacher of the Year.
On June 13, 2009, he married the other love of his life, Chuquita Spencer. They enjoyed 15 years of marriage together. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
He is survived by his wife Chuquita Spencer of the family home; three children: Freddy Spencer and wife Jessica of Harrisburg, Darla Spencer of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, and Susan Spencer Howard and husband Ronnie of Dora; seven grandchildren: Emma and Paxton Spencer of Harrisburg, Morgan and Madison Spencer of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, and Spencer, Cooper and James Howard of Dora; two great-grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers: Joe Spencer and Boyd Spencer, both of Elijah; one sister, Vickie Parker and husband, Marvin of Caulfield; one sister-in-law, Jan Dennis and husband Randall of West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Rosa Leah Story Spencer; one brother, Dwayne Spencer; and one sister-in-law Joy Spencer.
Visitation services were held from 6 until 8 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial was in Ball Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rosa Leah and Bobbie G. Spencer Scholarship Fund and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.