Donald Franklin Spence, age 86, of Lenoir City, TN, passed away on November 1, 2022, at River Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center in Loudon, TN. Don was born at his aunt's farm outside of Kinsley, KS, on September 16, 1936. He was raised by his loving mother and stepfather, Lula Zahnter Spence and Leonard W. Spence in Western Kansas. His schooling was in Garden City, Dighton, and Dodge City.

Mr. Spence was a proud law enforcement officer for much of his life. He served in Dodge City, KS; Ford County, KS; Liberal, KS; Adams County, CO; Missoula, MT; and Cheney, KS. Don also started his own Merchant's Security force, which provided protection for businesses in Dodge City. After working in security for K-Mart in Denver, CO, Don's love of the outdoors helped him begin a retail career in sporting goods. He managed several sporting goods departments for K-Mart in Denver, CO, then as store manager for Gibson's in Missoula, MT. Later Don opened his own sporting goods stores in Missoula, MT, and Blackwell, OK. At one time , Don enjoyed a short career as a car salesman for Lopp Motors in Dodge, Ciy, KS. Don loved to hunt and fish and was very proud to display a black bear rug made from his trophy bearskin. Don enjoyed riding motorcycles and had several Harley-Davidson cycles that he rode through many states and into Canada. While living in Kansas, Don worked and studied to enter the Masonic Lodge. Later he was honored to be accepted into the 32nd Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry.

In 1953, Don was married to Margaret Sue Hawkins, with whom he had a son, Donald Keith, and daughter, Donna Sue. Later Don married Wilma Kirby and helped her raise her three children, Kent, Leissa, and Lori. In 1992, Don and Kathleen Crook Downey were married in the First Christian Church of Blackwell, OK. In 1993, Don and Kathleen became active members of the Blackwell First United Methodist Church. Don and Kathleen also entered whole-heartedly into Blackwell politics at a time when pollution from an old zinc smelter was found to be a great health danger to the population. In 2020, the Spences moved to Lenoir City, TN, to be near Kathleen's children, Teresa and her husband Mike Roper, and their children and grandchildren. In Lenoir City, Don and Kathleen became members of the Martel United Methodist Church.

Don was pre-deceased by his parents, Leonard and Lula Spence; his son, Donald Keith Spence; daughter, Donna Sue Allen; brothers, Tom and Woody, sisters, Mary, Lenna,Phyllis, Lida, Lynn, and Kay.

Don is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of the home; granddaughters, April Stormes (Scottie) and Angela Higgins and their children of Paragould, AR; sister, Janet Spence Spiker(Duane) of Thornton, CO; brother, Patrick (Lena) of Aurora, CO; numerous nieces and nephews, including Todd Spence (Wendy), Dea Washburn, Ami Vetter, Chord Spence (Miranda), Luke Spiker (Amy), Julia Spiker, Jana Brink (Tyler), Brian Mahan (Shawna), Cindy King (Donna), Andy Newton (Margaret), Terry Bradstreet (Debbie), Tammie Willoughby, Michael Spence (Lisa). Special cousins Paulette Fief and Beverly Beer (Larry) also survive.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, November 7, 2022, for a graveside service at New Zion Cemetery, Cushing, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Martel United Methodist Church, 4561 Muddy Creek Road, Lenoir City, Tennesse, 37772, or your favorite charity.