G. Wade Spencer

Wade Spencer, 73, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at home in the arms of his loving wife, Teddy, on the evening of July 27th, 2006. Wade never complained as he bravely fought many health setbacks over the past six years. Only God knew that He would take dad to Himself so suddenly. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2006, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation 4:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11, 2006 at the McGilley Memorial Chapel, with Rosary at 7:30 p.m., preceded by brief comments from friends. Arrangements by McGilley Midtown Memorial Chapel, (816) 753-6200. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the G. Wade Spencer Memorial Fund with Country Club Bank, (816) 931-4060, to benefit St. Vincent's Academy. Born on December 13, 1932, Wade graduated from Southwest High School, class of 1949, and went on to earn his degree in "Chem-mystery" from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Wade served in the Navy aboard the USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107). Wade met Teddy Wheatley, of Webster Groves, Missouri, at the university. They were married in 1959, and spent their first five years of marriage in Glendale, Mo., St. Louis. Wade worked in the chemical industry, starting with the Pennwalt Corporation. A career move took them to Kansas City, where Wade was the director of purchasing and sales for Chemagro/Mobay/Bayer Chemical. Taking retirement at age 50, Wade began a successful real estate career as Director of Corporate Relocation for Eugene D. Brown, then J.C. Nichols, from which he retired in 1995. In his 'final' retirement, Wade donated countless hours as a teacher at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School, where many of his grandchildren are students. He taught chemistry, biology, art and drama at both the high school and grade school levels. However, his most loved class was reading classic children's literature to the grade school. Wade took his faith, but not himself, seriously. He was a devoted Catholic and sacrificed greatly for the Church. He was the best example a husband and father could be. His family was everything to him. That love and devotion was returned 10 fold from his family. Wade's good cheer and ready wit endeared him to all. He loved and was loved by so many. He had more friends than we will ever know. He was so kind. Wade was truly an entertainer: he was an accomplished artist, piano player, actor, guitarist, trumpeter, story teller, joke teller, punster, conversationalist, and teacher. Wade loved his family completely. He is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Lynn and grandchildren Claire and Therese. He is survived by many who love him more than words can say - his wife, Teddy, of 47 years; sister, Susan; brother, Tom and his wife, Sue; children, Guy Wade Jr., daughter, Holly Massey and her husband, Brendan, of Brisbane, Australia, son, Tom Spencer and his wife, Lisa, son, Joe Spencer and his wife, Megan, son, Chris Spencer and his wife, Laurie, daughter, Mary Greene and her husband, Jason; and his 28 grandchildren, Guy Wade III (Trey), Gregory, Maggie, Thomas, John, Jane Frances, Gerard, Joseph, Jane Marie, Timothy, Marianne, Connor, Danny, Mary Bridget, Luke, Gabriel, Augustine, Lucy, Monica, Christopher, Holly, Harrison, Wade, Oscar, Max, Linus, Gemma, and Magdalen. I love you forever - Teddy. We love you forever, Dad. You're our hero! - the kids.