Howard Thomas Spencer, Sr. passed away March 6, 2016, at the age of 93.

Howard was born in Concordia KS on March 5, 1923, to M. Ernest and Lillie B. McCall Spencer. Howard lived in Concordia until enrolling at Kansas State Agricultural College (now KSU) in 1941. He left school to enlist in the U.S. Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Howard married Celia V. Ward on August 19, 1944. They celebrated 66 years together before Celia passed away in May 2011. After being discharged in 1946, he took up farming before changing careers to serve over 30 years as a USPS rural mail carrier in Clyde KS.

Survivors are his children, Susan (Larry) Smith, Topeka, Howard Jr. (Melba) Peachtree City GA; granddaughters, Dawn Frey, Cori (Michael) Bird, Nicole (Tim) Purtill, and Megan (JP) Barbee; great-grandchildren, Isaac and Erinn Bird; brother, James and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W 6th Street, Concordia KS 66901.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia KS.

Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, Topeka, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arbor Day Foundation and Trinity Presbyterian Church, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.