Chaplain Donald J. Spence's Obituary
Chaplain (LTC.) Donald J. Spence U.S. Army, retired, age 82, went to be with his Heavenly Father the Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at home in Gainesville, Florida.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 3, 1939, to Rev. Frederic and Melda Spence. His early years were spent in the states of New Jersey and New York where his father pastored several Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches. He graduated from Utica Free Academy in Utica, New York. He went on to graduate from Syracuse University and was drafted into the United States Army and stationed at Ft. Belvoir. He taught school in Rome, New York.
In 1965, he married Georgia Ann Gingrich in Utica, New York. Donald graduated with a Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Wenham, MA. From 1970 -1975, Donald pastored the Alliance Church of Stamford CT, received a MS and EdS from Bridgeport University, and taught school in Stamford.
In 1975, Donald entered the United States Army Chaplaincy. He served at the following assignments: XVIII Airborne Corp Artillery at Ft. Bragg, NC.;1st Bde., 3rd Inf. Div., Schweinfurt, Germany; Chaplain’s Advanced Course, Ft. Monmouth, NJ. United States Army Communications Command, Ft. Huachuca, AZ; Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS; 1st Signal Bde. Seoul, Korea; I Corp. and 35th ADA Bde. Ft. Lewis, WA; 130th Engineer Bde. Hanau, Germany; Company A, US Army Armor Center, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. After 25 years of service, Donald retired from the U.S. Army.
In 1994 he became the Supervisory Chaplain at Florida State Prison and retired in 2008 in Gainesville, FL. During retirement years, Donald enjoyed spending the summers at the Spence Cottage at Delta Lake Bible Conference Center, Rome, NY, with family and friends. He took trips to Israel, Scotland, and Alaska and was an avid reader.
Survived by his wife, Georgia, daughters Julie and Sarah, grandchildren Emilie Grace, Audrey Joy, Rebekah Ann, and Benjamin Henry. Preceded by son Matthew James and brother Fred.
Service and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches INC., P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL, 32064-9984
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