Gordon Spencer

Gordon R. Spencer, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at his home.

He was born March 5, 1936, in Cortland, Ohio, son of Reed and Hazel Spencer. He married Fay Looney of East Prairie, Missouri on Sept. 15, 1962, in Merced, California.

Gordon served three years in the Marine Corps and 23 years in the Air Force, retiring in 1980 with the rank of chief master sergeant. During his military career, he was stationed in Japan, Greenland, Labrador, Vietnam, England, Guam and multiple assignments in the U.S. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam; the Joint Service Commendation Medal for participating in the Indochina Refugee Relief Program during the fall of Saigon while stationed on Guam; and the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service while assigned to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and numerous other awards and citations.

After retiring from the military, he worked as the first chief of security at West Park Mall. After three years there, he went to work at Procter & Gamble as a line technician, retiring in 1997.

During his life, he and his wife served the Lord faithfully together wherever they lived; working in the church, teaching Sunday school and being an example to his family and community. Gordon enjoyed writing poetry for family and friends, and many of his poems were published in the local newspaper.

Survivors include his wife, Fay; daughter, Dr. Glenna Sumner and son-in-law Dennis of Martin, Tennessee; granddaughter, Erin Leigh Sumner; daughter, Darla Gavin and son-in-law Douglas of St. Louis; brother, Richard Spencer of Warren, Ohio; and sister, Virginia Stein of Cortland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Houchins officiating. Burial and graveside military services will be at Fairmount Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.