Adair County, OK - Obit for Jim Spicer

Submitted by:  Pat Tucker        patnj@netzero.net
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Wednesday May 22, 2002	Stilwell (Okla.) Democrat-Journal
page 12-Section A

SPICER, Jim

Jim Spicer, age 78, Joplin, passed away at 9:40pm, Tuesday, May 14, 
2002 at Freeman Hospital, following an illness.

Mr. Spicer was born on March 27, 1924 in Stillwater, OK the son of 
the late Lowell and Dorothy Spicer. In 1940 he graduated from Oklahoma 
High in Stillwater, OK. He graduated from Oklahoma State University 
in 1943. He graduated Naval Officers' Candidate School al Notre Dame 
University in January of 1944. He served in the United States Navy and 
was a veteran of WWII. He served as Naval Officer LST. Small Boats Officer 
in the Invasion of Southern France, Executive Officer LST-998 in Pacific, 
commanding Officer LUSR-97. Following his time in the military he began 
his career in the automobile industry. He was the Desoto-Plymouth dealer 
in Stilwell, OK. From 1948-1952 the Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealer in 
Stilwell, OK. In August of 1958, he moved to Neosho, MO to become a 
Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealer. He was the owner/operator of Spicer 
Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Neosho for twenty-eight years.

Jim devoted a great deal of time and effort to his community. He was a 
member of the Neosho Chamber of Commerce. Serving on the Industrial 
Committee of the Chamber as either Vice Chairman or Chairman since 1965, 
he worked closely in securing La-Z-Boy Chair Company, Buddy L. Corp. 
(now Neosho Products), Holden Frame Company and handled the sole or 
transfer of industrial land for several other companies which have 
located on Neosho Industries property. He was also active in real 
estate development in the area.

He served numerous terms on both Chevrolet and Oldsmobile Dealer's 
Council. From 1986-2001 he served on the Missouri Southern Foundation 
Board, where he served as president two times. From 1987-present he was 
a member of the Board of the Diabetic Association. He was a member of the 
Kiwanis Club. He was awarded Citizen of the year from the Neosho Chamber 
of Commerce in 1980. In May of 1981, Governor Kit Bond presented him the 
Outstanding Accomplishment Award from Missouri Community and Economic 
Development Conference.

He is survived by his wife Peggy of Joplin; three sons, James Michael Spicer, 
Gaary Paul Spicer and Stephen Neil Spicer of Neosho, MO; one daughter, Sharon 
Yenzer of Tulsa, OK; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was 
preceded in death by his brother Donald Spicer in 2001, and by three sisters, 
Dorothy Allen in 1980; Mary Shaffer in 1997; and Leona Hooker in 1999.

Funeral services will be 2:00pm Saturday at Mason-Woodard Mortuaary. 
Reverend Chris Sloan will officiate. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in 
Neosho, MO. Pall bearers will be Rudy Fawber, Ray Stipp, Dwight Douglas, 
Milton Day, Phil Pritchett, John Wright, Dave Altman and Bob Owen.

The family will receive friends 7-8pm Friday at the mortuary. Memorial 
contribuations can be made to Christ Community United Methodist Church 
Building Fund. Arrangements under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.