Larry Spence Obituary, Death – A man named Larry Lee Spence December 26, 1931 – December 7, 2022 Boise, Idaho – Our dearly departed Larry Lee Spence, affectionately known as “Irish,” passed away peacefully in the arms of his Lord and Savior on December 7, 2022. He is now reunited with his mother, Alta Elizabeth Olsen Spence, and his father, Owen Robert Spence. His siblings were named Edgar Owen Spence, Eunice Spence, Alta Ione Spence, Lena Gladys Spence, Frances Marie Spence, Dorothy Mae Spence, Robert Owen Spence, Dale Lamar Spence, Dot Darlene Spence, and Nelda Laree Spence. His parents were Edgar Owen Spence and Nelda Laree Spence. Sherry Laree Spence, his daughter, along with Patrick Lee Owen, Jenny Rebecca, and Billy Joe, his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Anne Spence, his granddaughter Amy Laree McKay, his great-grandchildren Patrick Lee Smith, Kristropher Ryan Smith, Caleb Michael Smith, Melissa Laree Smith, and Taylor Ray Vernon Stephens, as well as his great-great-grandchildren Austin Wilder Smith and Oliver Schweitzer Smith, and a large number of beloved nieces and nephews. After the passing of his mother in 1941, Larry’s father moved the family to the Boise area, where Larry was later born. His mother had been a resident of Basin “Bighorn” Wyoming. Larry would continue to live in Boise, where he would later become a single parent and become a caretaker for his ailing father, Owen Robert Spence, while also bringing up his only daughter, Sherry Laree Spence.
Between the years 1950 and 1954, Larry proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Kidd DD-661. After serving in the military, Larry went on to work for a number of different firms over the course of his life. Some of these companies include the LA Soap Company, IML Freight, Milne Freight, and Yellow Freight. After retiring from Yellow Freight, Larry and Barbara decided to make their home in Elk City, Idaho, where they now host gatherings of their community as well as visits from their family, friends, and coworkers. In 2007, the two of them moved back to Boise, which is where Larry spent the last years of his life, surrounded by the family and friends that he treasured the most.
Wherever Larry lived, he was a massive pillar not only for his family but also for the community around him. Even though he was a short man in stature, the space in which he was present was enormous. He was quick to give you a seat at the bar, a cool beer or soda pop for your hand, and a joke to bring a grin to your face when you accepted his offer. We may be devastated by his departure now, but the lives of everyone who knew and loved Larry are irrevocably altered, and his stories will be passed down for decades to come. Although we may be pained by his absence now, their lives will be impacted forever. Our hearts are broken, but they are also filled with the comfort of his presence; may he rest in peace in the knowledge that he will always be with us. On Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 10:00 am, a committal service will be held with military honors at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.
