SPENCER BOBBIE J

LTC Bobbie "Bob" J. Spencer was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/14/2024 at the age of 92.0
Navarre, FL
Flight Class 57-1
Date of Birth 10/10/1932
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/1 AVN 1 INF in 65, 155 AHC in 65-66, 525 MI GRP in 68-69, AFAT 2 in 72
Call sign in Vietnam VOLUNTEER 6
This information was provided by Donna Spencer - Daughter

More detail on this person: Lieutenant Colonel Bobbie J. Spencer, US Army, retired, passed away October 14 at his home in Navarre, Florida, following a long illness. He was 92 years old. The son of Elmer L. Spencer and Lorene Marshall Spencer, he was born October 10, 1932, in Lobelville, Tennessee. He enlisted in the National Guard at 15 and attended West Point Prep School for a year before joining the Air Force, where he served as a flight engineer for Vice President Alben Barkley. After leaving the Air Force he served briefly as a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He returned to the military in 1964, joining the Army Reserve and serving in active duty until his retirement. He became certified as a pilot, an instructor pilot, and an airframe and powerplant mechanic. His service included three tours of duty in the Vietnam War, in 1965-66, 1968-69, and 1972. Among his honors were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, and Master Army Aviator Badge. Following his military service he was a flight instructor for Bell Helicopter International in Isfahan, Iran. He later worked in corporate aviation, primarily for L.T. Ruth Coal, Musco Lighting and Gold Kist. He was named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor John Y. Brown in 1981. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lloyd Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Spencer; children Donna Spencer of Knoxville, Tennessee, Bobby Spencer Jr. of Canton, Georgia, and Renée Spencer of Cumming, Georgia; stepchildren Brian Jones of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Philip Jones of Nicholasville, Kentucky; grandchildren William Stamper of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Katie King of Cumming, Georgia; and niece Angie Blakely of Olive Branch, Mississippi. Service, aviation and family were central to his life. His family and friends will also remember him as a storyteller, a master poker player, and a connoisseur of scotch.

This information was last updated 11/12/2024

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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025