In Memory Of
Fremen Spence
Fremen Spence
Fremen Spence passed away on April 16, 2009 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY. Fremen was born on April 3, 1949 in Greybull, WY to Charlie O. and Opal G. Johnson Spence. Fremen married the love of his life, Waynette (Leffler), on May 24, 1975 in Riverton, WY. They had a daughter, Autumn Lynn, who died shortly after her birth in May 1979.
He attended schools in Greybull graduating in 1967. He attended Northwest Community College in Powell, WY and later Casper College in Casper, WY. Fremen graduated from Casper College with an Associates degree in Auto Mechanics in 1977. He attended numerous training classes for propane engine conversions and was well known for his expertise in duel fuel conversions.
Fremen worked for the National Forest Service for a few summers beginning in 1968 maintaining back country trails in the North Fork area and fighting fires as needed. During the winter months he worked for Lynn Elwood's service station in Powell, WY. In the early 1970's he started driving a truck for Butane Power & Equipment's, Powell branch. He delivered propane all over the state of Wyoming and into Colorado. In 1973 while trying to deliver propane fuel in Colorado, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Rabbit Ears Pass above Steamboat Springs. Fremen suffered a compression spinal cord injury that left him an incomplete quadriplegic. Despite his injuries, he returned to college and returned to work for Butane Power & Equipment at their Casper office in 1977 as a mechanic in their truck shop. Fremen also worked at Coleman Custom Service and Coliseum Motors. In May 1993, Fremen retired on disability as his injuries sustained in the 1973 accident had worsened significantly. For the past few years, Fremen was confined to his wheelchair.
Not being one to sit around, Fremen delighted in volunteering with the Cowboy State Games and the Community Emergency Response Team of Natrona County. He served for a short time at the Fort Caspar Museum. He was also a member of the Spinal Cord Injury Support group in Casper. Fremen kept busy serving on the water board for Air Base Acres Improvement & Service District and as a state director for Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems. He was well known for advocating for rural water systems and was the recipient of their 2009 "Louise Cordova Award" for recognition of outstanding commitment to Wyoming Water & Sewer Utilities.
Fremen loved his church family at First Baptist Church. He loved attending Sunday School class and helping with the children's LOGO's program. Fremen considered every child at church as his own and loved them unconditionally. He loved the church's Praise Team music and was often found listening to them practice prior to church services.
Everyone around Fremen knew of his love of hunting and fishing when he was younger and physically able to pursue those activities. In later years he was known for his frog collection and shopping abilities. He loved to travel especially to Disney World and taking cruises. He enjoyed working with the computer where he sent emails by the scores and stored the efforts of his photography endeavors. Fremen loved people and enjoyed making them laugh. He will be greatly missed all who knew him.
Fremen is survived by his wife, Waynette; a sister Kathy and her husband Buzz Holler of Esterbrook, WY; two nephews - Navy Lt. Mike Holler and his family of Fallon, NV and Terry Holler and his family of Glenrock, WY; a niece Debra Pittsley and her family of Glenrock, WY; two aunts Sally Johnson and Ardie Jarrett of Walnut Creek, CA plus numerous great nephews, great nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, his father, his mother, his maternal and paternal grandparents. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in Greybull, WY at a later date.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 26, 2009 at First Baptist Church (5th and Beech streets), Casper, WY at 2:00 PM. Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to Craig Hospital Foundation (for spinal cord injury research), 3425 S. Clarkson, Englewood, CO 80113 or memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, 514 South Beech, Casper, WY 82601. Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Funeral Home.
He attended schools in Greybull graduating in 1967. He attended Northwest Community College in Powell, WY and later Casper College in Casper, WY. Fremen graduated from Casper College with an Associates degree in Auto Mechanics in 1977. He attended numerous training classes for propane engine conversions and was well known for his expertise in duel fuel conversions.
Fremen worked for the National Forest Service for a few summers beginning in 1968 maintaining back country trails in the North Fork area and fighting fires as needed. During the winter months he worked for Lynn Elwood's service station in Powell, WY. In the early 1970's he started driving a truck for Butane Power & Equipment's, Powell branch. He delivered propane all over the state of Wyoming and into Colorado. In 1973 while trying to deliver propane fuel in Colorado, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Rabbit Ears Pass above Steamboat Springs. Fremen suffered a compression spinal cord injury that left him an incomplete quadriplegic. Despite his injuries, he returned to college and returned to work for Butane Power & Equipment at their Casper office in 1977 as a mechanic in their truck shop. Fremen also worked at Coleman Custom Service and Coliseum Motors. In May 1993, Fremen retired on disability as his injuries sustained in the 1973 accident had worsened significantly. For the past few years, Fremen was confined to his wheelchair.
Not being one to sit around, Fremen delighted in volunteering with the Cowboy State Games and the Community Emergency Response Team of Natrona County. He served for a short time at the Fort Caspar Museum. He was also a member of the Spinal Cord Injury Support group in Casper. Fremen kept busy serving on the water board for Air Base Acres Improvement & Service District and as a state director for Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems. He was well known for advocating for rural water systems and was the recipient of their 2009 "Louise Cordova Award" for recognition of outstanding commitment to Wyoming Water & Sewer Utilities.
Fremen loved his church family at First Baptist Church. He loved attending Sunday School class and helping with the children's LOGO's program. Fremen considered every child at church as his own and loved them unconditionally. He loved the church's Praise Team music and was often found listening to them practice prior to church services.
Everyone around Fremen knew of his love of hunting and fishing when he was younger and physically able to pursue those activities. In later years he was known for his frog collection and shopping abilities. He loved to travel especially to Disney World and taking cruises. He enjoyed working with the computer where he sent emails by the scores and stored the efforts of his photography endeavors. Fremen loved people and enjoyed making them laugh. He will be greatly missed all who knew him.
Fremen is survived by his wife, Waynette; a sister Kathy and her husband Buzz Holler of Esterbrook, WY; two nephews - Navy Lt. Mike Holler and his family of Fallon, NV and Terry Holler and his family of Glenrock, WY; a niece Debra Pittsley and her family of Glenrock, WY; two aunts Sally Johnson and Ardie Jarrett of Walnut Creek, CA plus numerous great nephews, great nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, his father, his mother, his maternal and paternal grandparents. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in Greybull, WY at a later date.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 26, 2009 at First Baptist Church (5th and Beech streets), Casper, WY at 2:00 PM. Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to Craig Hospital Foundation (for spinal cord injury research), 3425 S. Clarkson, Englewood, CO 80113 or memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, 514 South Beech, Casper, WY 82601. Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Funeral Home.
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