Julius Hoff "Judy" Spence MD

On March 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Julius Hoff 'Judy' Spence, M.D., passed away peacefully at ETMC in Tyler with his children In attendance at his side. Dr. Spence resided in Tyler from 1955 until the present. He was born in Lancaster, Texas September 4, 1914, the second of four children born to the late Charles Horace Spence and Myrtle Aimee Hoff Spence.

As a youngster growing up in the valley of Texas around Lancaster, Edna, Yorktown, and Hebbronvllle, the son of a Presbyterian minister soon earned the nickname 'Bullet' as a fleet-footed quarterback for the local high school team. His nickname took on further meaning as he grew older, becoming an expert shot with a shotgun. Another sport he mastered was the game of golf which he continued to play into his seventies.

After graduating from high school he and his brothers and sister all attended the University of Texas in Austin, often taking turns working or going to school to support each other. After graduating from college, he attended pharmacy school, beginning his adult life as a pharmacist. WWII changed the course of life for many people, and Judy was no exception. His brother Charlie, convinced him to attend Medical School through a U.S. Navy program, and following graduation from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, the young Naval officer began service to his country. On Dec. 8, 1945, while stationed in California, he married the love of his life, Ruth Margaret 'Pat' Patterson, to whom he remained married for 64 years. The young couple returned to Houston where he completed a residency in Anesthesiology. After his training was completed, his now expanded family returned to California only to have the Korean war intercede. Dr. Spence was assigned to the U.S.S. Repose, a hospital ship stationed off the shores of Korea. Following several tours of duty, he returned to the states with the rank of Lt. Commander, retiring from active duty in 1955 to start his private practice of anesthesia in Tyler, Texas. As Tyler grew into the Medical Center of East Texas, it was physicians like Dr. Spence that led the way.

He raised his 5 children with the understanding that success favored the prepared mind. Furthering one's education was an important attribute that he encouraged. When not spending long hours in the operating rooms in the Tyler hospitals, he enjoyed playing golf, bird hunting or fishing near Rockport, Texas or in mountain streams and lakes in Colorado or California. He also enjoyed spending time on his farm which is now Faulkner Park in south Tyler, as well as time with his daughters and their hobby of raising, riding and showing quarter horses. If only a few words could be chosen to sum up his life, they would be dedication, devotion, and determination.

Dr. Spence was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Myrtle Spence, and his siblings, Charles H. 'Doc' Spence, G. Ralph Spence, and Kathryn Spence Nance.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Margaret 'Pat' Spence, his children Susan Norvell, Dr. Dennis Spence and his wife Sabra,

Dr. Gary Spence and his wife Beth, Karen Lanford and her husband David, Kathy Snodgrass and her husband Todd,

grandchildren Ryan Moore and wife Corl Ann, Kelly Spence Martin and husband Ryan, Capt Bryan Spence, Brett Spence, Clint Lanford, Ross Lanford, Mlcheal Savoie, Heath Kelly, and Wade Kelly, 5 great grandchildren, and his dear

sister-in-law Mary John Spence and brother-in-law John Patterson and his wife 'Pod'. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews from around the country and from all walks of life including doctors, lawyers, pilots, real estate appraisers, teachers, oil and gas developers, stock brokers, and musicians.

A memorial service will be held a Lloyd James Funeral Home Chapel in Tyler on Tuesday, March 23 at 10:30 A.M.,

with burial to follow at Rose Hill cemetery. Reverend Kirkland Knight will officiate. Dr. Spence's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation is scheduled Monday night, March 22 at Lloyd James Funeral home from 5-7:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Chaplain's Funds at East Texas Medical Center Hospital and Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.