Eugene Robert "Gene" Spence

Mr. Eugene Robert Spence, age 83 a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 13, 2014 in Sacred Heart of the Emerald Coast Hospital. He was born July 24, 1930 in DeFuniak Springs, the son of Horace Wilson Spence and Lizzie Anderson Spence. He graduated from Walton High School in the late forties and served a tour of duty with the United States Army in post war Germany following the end of World War II. In the early sixties, he married Marie Hicks. Gene was employed with Gulf Power Company for over thirty years where he worked as a lineman. He retired from Gulf Power in 1992 when Marie became ill. He loved to hunt and fish and was a key figure at Mamie’s, holding a seat at The Table of Knowledge. Gene never missed the five o’clock news, but it had to be from Chanel 7. He followed FSU football and also watched most Auburn games with Bud McBroom; not together, but Gene at his own home and Bud at his own home, via telephone the entirety of the game, discussing the game live, play by play. The suggestion was made that they watch the game together, physically in the presence of each other, but the suggestion was quickly dismissed by both Gene and Bud, that each wanted to be in their own recliner in their own home. Those that knew Gene Spence, knew of his honesty, friendliness and his zest for life. Gene was predeceased by his wife, Marie Hicks Spence who passed away in December of 1996 and his Grandson, Benjamin Anderson Spence, Jr. who passed away in April of 1996.

Among survivors are his son, Benjamin Spence and wife Meredith, his granddaughters, Josie Michie and husband Brian and Annie Spence. His great granddaughter Mary Allison Michie also survives.

Floral arrangements are being accepted. A time of visitation will be Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 10 until 11 A.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Owen Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Spence Family Plot in Magnolia Cemetery.