FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Thelma Marie Whitaker
6th of 7 children of Edward Lawrence Whitaker & Ada Agnes Chamberlin
Born: Nov 16, 1912, Paddy Creek, Baker Co., Oregon
Died: May 27, 1996 (age 83), Baker, Baker Co., Oregon; stroke
Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Occupation: Worked for Baker Democrat-Herald in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Married: Oct 3, 1936, Warren Arthur Spencer, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Separated: 1986, after 49 years of marriage, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Seven children: Brian Rodney Spencer, Adah Rose Spencer (Adah changed name to Suzanne “Suzy” Patricia Spencer), Cheryl Ann Spencer, Mary “Jan” Janine Spencer, Marie “Celeste” Spencer, Gregory “Greg” Warren Spencer, Kim Marie Spencer
Warren Arthur Spencer
1st of 8 children of William Lloyd Spencer & Rozina “Rose” Callaway
Born: Sep 1, 1910, Red Oak, Montgomery Co., Iowa
Died: Nov 6, 1997 (age 87), Le Grande, Union Co., Oregon; stroke/heart failure
Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Occupation: ranch owner, electrical contractor, owned Baker Electric Service
Married: Oct 3, 1936, Thelma Marie Whitaker, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Separated: 1986, after 49 years of marriage, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Seven children: Brian Rodney Spencer, Adah Rose Spencer (Adah changed her name to Suzanne “Suzy” Patricia Spencer), Cheryl Ann Spencer, Mary “Jan” Janine Spencer, Marie “Celeste” Spencer, Gregory “Greg” Warren Spencer, Kim Marie Spencer
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Timeline and Records
Seven children of Ada Agnes Chamberlin & Edward Lawrence “Ed” Whitaker:
1. Vera Stanislaus Whitaker
1903 – 1983
2. Leonard Fenley “Len” Whitaker
1905 – 1965
3. Zelda Beatrice Whitaker
1907 – 1989
4. Donald Edward Whitaker
1909 – 1995
5. Melvin Lawrence Whitaker
1911 – 1943
6. Thelma Marie Whitaker
1912 – 1996
7. Edward Joseph Whitaker
1914 – 1978
Eight children of William Lloyd Spencer & Rozina ‘Rose” Callaway:
1. Warren Arthur Spencer
1910 – 1997
2. Donald Lester Spencer
1911 – 1981
3. Doris Irene Spencer
1913 – 1997
4. Audrey Iola Spencer
1915 – 1958
5. Lillian Ethel Spencer
1918 – 1982
6. Alma Eleanor Spencer
1920 – 2014
7. William Lloyd “Buck” Spencer, Jr.
1922 – 1991
8. Raymond Leslie “Corky” Spencer
1926 – 2017
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Sep 1, 1910: Birth of Warren Arthur Spencer, 1st of 8 children of William Lloyd Spencer & Rozina “Rose” Callaway, in Red Oak, Montogomery Co., Iowa:
Name: Warren Arthur Spencer
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 1 Sep 1910
Birth Place: Red Oak, Montgomery, Iowa
Christening Place: Montgomery, Iowa
Father: Wm L Spencer
Mother: Roseanna Callaway
FHL Film Number: 1481705
Nov 16, 1912: Birth of Thelma Marie Whitaker, 6th of 7 children of Edward Lawrence Whitaker & Ada Agnes Chamberlin in Paddy Creek, Baker Co., Oregon
Cousins: Mildred Rosborough (daughter of Mamie & Herb) & Thelma Whitaker (daughter of Ada & Edward):
May 14, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker to her sister Mamie and Ada’s children:
Spokane, Wash.
May 14, 1915
My dear Sister & Children –
Isn’t this cold, wet weather just awful and it makes one feel so lonesome and dreary.
Your letter and the one from Howard just came and I thought we would get one from Mr. Lumsden also but did not. I had a telegram from Mr. Strayer yesterday and he said a letter would follow so will get that in a few days now. I am glad you are getting along nicely and only hope all will stay well.
The baby coughs real hard but not often and mostly at night.
It still stays cold and very windy here but the cool weather is far better for poor Ed than the warm would be. I wish I might write you something encouraging about Ed’s condition but can’t, not yet anyway. Ed seems to get a little thinner and thinner every day and a little quieter. The sight has gone from his right eye entirely and he said this morning that the left eye hurts him now and it begins to look bad. You should see what quantities of morphine he takes – 15 and 20 gr and 25 grams some times in 24 hrs.
If Howard sends any pictures you can send them to me please. Doesn’t he write a poor hand and compose a childish letter for a boy 16 yrs. old? I wonder if after Ed is gone, I’ll have any trouble getting Howard home, in case I need and want him. I don’t believe I will. Well dear, I will write every two or three days and if you find time, do the same. Do you have any trouble with Thelma and Mildred quarreling and Melvin’s stubborness?
Did I tell you that Ed wants to be taken home to be buried. If you see Mr. Strayer again, ask him what I can do about it for I can not afford it now but could pay the expenses in the future, if he thinks that the expense could be put up when necessary.
If you see and talk to him, what he has to say write on a separate paper since Ed won’t see it for he always asks for your letters.
Mamie, the hole in Ed’s face now reaches from his nose right up to under his eye and straight across to his temple, then clear down his nose and a little below, straight across his cheek it is almost in a square and yet I can’t believe he is to be taken away. You never saw such a skelaton as he is, no meat at all, simply the skin and mussel drawn over his bare bones. And now he is getting bed sores, poor boy. It is pitiful to see and watch.
Love to all,
Your loving sister, Ada
Note: Mr. William Henry Strayer (b. 1866) was an attorney in Baker, Oregon
May 18, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker (age 37) to her young children:
Spokane, Wash
May 18, 1915
My dear little Children all –
Mamma hasn’t much to write to you only to ask you to be good. I received your letters yesterday but poor papa could not read them, but I did and was glad to get them.
Now Vera you know what you ought to do and can do to help Aunt Mamie. You can wash the dishes and on Saturday and Sunday sweep the kitchen and pantry and your bed room has to be straightened up every week and Zelda must help with the dishes and wash Thelma and empty the slops and try to keep things picked up in the bedroom and help dress the little ones in the morning and Len’s business I guess he knows, to get the wood and kindling, make the fires, empty the ashes, shake the mats and make your own bed and feed and water the chickens.
And don’t any of you go to communion unless you are sure you have no sin on your souls, and every time you go to confession tell every thing you can remember both great and small and then you will make no mistake and leave nothing out, you know it would be a most terrible thing not to tell everything in confession.
And tell Donald and Melvin to try and be good for I have told Aunt Mamie to make her a good paddle and to use it on all alike when they need from Thelma up. How does she get along, does she seem to miss her mamma?
You will have to look after Melvin the most. Vera you know how stubborn he is and Aunt Mamie won’t want to exactly kill him, altho she may feel like it so you take him in hand and relieve her of some of the trouble, and do lots of little things to help her for remember she is doing what very very few would do for us and it is hard work and lots of it.
It is going to rain again and we are so tired of it and I guess you are also.
When does your school let out? There was a big fire here last night. A six story building all burned to the ground.
You wouldn’t know your poor papa now he is so very thin and I don’t know whether I can bring him back with me or not so you must all be good and pray hard that you may meet him someday in heaven, where he will look as he did a year ago and more.
And now I must close and write to Grandma Chamberlain
With love and kisses to all,
Mamma
Note: Ada’s children: Vera (age nearly 13), Leonard (10), Zelda (8), Donald (6), Melvin (4), Thelma (2yr, 6 mo)
May 24, 1915: Goodby letter from Edward Whitaker (age 41) to his children:
To Vera, Len, Zelda, Donald, Melvin & Thelma,
Papa is going away dear little souls and before I am gone I must write a little note to you all. Be good to mama always. Papa loves you very dearly and wants you all to remember him. I hope we meet again in the after hours. Good-by to you one and all for ever.
From your passing heart-broken papa. Promise to always be true to your Christian duties.
Good-by.
Note: the six oldest Whitaker children were staying with their mother’s sister, Mamie, in Baker, Oregon
May 26, 1915: Death of Edward Lawrence “Ed” Whitaker (age 41), the father of Thelma Marie (Whitaker) Spencer, in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington; of a cancerous mouth tumor. Ed is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon.
May 27, 1915: Morning Democrat, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon:
DEATH CLAIMS ED WHITAKER
Baker Man Passed Away In Spokane.
Ed Whittaker of this city, whose life hung in balance for several weeks at Spokane, where he went for treatment for cancer, passed away early yesterday morning, according to advices received by friends here yesterday. The body will be shipped here for burial and will arrive at 1:40 tomorrow afternoon. The funeral will be held Friday at the St. Francis Cathedral, but the exact hour has not been set. Mrs. Whitaker, summoned to Spokane about a week ago, was at his bedside when the end came.
The deceased was well known in mining circles, at one time being manager of the Paddy Creek properties and interested in others in this section for many years past. His wife and several children survive. Mr. Whittaker was about 45 years of age.
May 28, 1915: Burial of Edward Lawrence Whitaker in Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Jan 12, 1920: Federal Census for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Name: Warren A Spencer
Age: 9
Birth Year: abt 1911
Birthplace: Iowa
Home in 1920: Baker, Baker, Oregon
Street: Maxwell Street
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father’s Name: William L Spencer
Father’s Birthplace: Iowa
Mother’s Name: Rozina Spencer
Mother’s Birthplace: Iowa
Attended School: yes
Household Members: Age, Relationship
William L Spencer: age 33, Head
Rozina Spencer: age 32, Wife
Warren A Spencer: age 9, Son
Donald L Spencer: age 8, Son
Doris I Spencer: age 6, Daughter
Audrey I Spencer: age 4, Daughter
Lillian E Spencer: age 1, Daughter
George D Mcqueen: age 59, Uncle-in-law
Arvilla G Mcqueen: age 50, Aunt-in-law
Wilma Mcqueen: age 15, Cousin
Jan 9, 1920: Federal Census for Baker Precinct, Baker Co., Oregon:
Whitaker, Ada A: head, rents, widow, age 42, born Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, clerk in paper office
Vera: daughter, age 16, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Leonard: son, age 14, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Zelda: daughter age 12, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Donald: son, age 10, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Melvin: son, age 8, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Thelma: daughter, age 7, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
Edward: son, age 5, born Oregon, father born Kansas, mother born Texas
abt 1920: Ada Whitaker and daughter Thelma (abt age 8) on the front porch in Baker:
1928: Thelma Mary Whitaker (age 16), Saint Francis High School Yearbook photo, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
1929: Thelma Mary Whitaker (age 17), Saint Francis High School Yearbook photo, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Apr 9, 1930: Federal Census for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Whittaker, A: head, age 52, widow, born Texas, father born United States, mother born England, circulation manager for newspaper
Zelda: daughter, age 22, single, born Oregon, father born Nevada, mother born Texas, bookkeeper for newspaper
Thelma: daughter, age 16, single, born Oregon, father born Nevada, mother born Texas, salesgirl in variety store
Edward: son, age 15, single, born Oregon, father born Nevada, mother born Texas, messenger boy for telegraph
Melvin: son, age 18, single, born Oregon, father born Nevada, mother born Texas, commercial salesman in hosery
Note: (Ada Agnes Whitaker, Vera’s mother) Ada’s father born in New York, mother born in Pennsylvania; children’s father born in Kansas
Apr 12, 1930: Federal Census for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Name: Warren Spencer
Birth Year: abt 1911
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 19
Birthplace: Iowa
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: Baker City, Baker, Oregon, USA
Street Address: 17th.
House Number: 1909
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Iowa
Mother’s Birthplace: Iowa
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Electrician
Industry: Retail shop
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members: Age, Relationship
William Spencer: age 43, Head
Rozina Spencer: age 42, Wife
Warren Spencer: age 19, Son
Lester Spencer: age 18, Son
Doris Spencer: age 16, Daughter
Audrey Spencer: age 14, Daughter
Lillian Spencer: age 12, Daughter
Alma Spencer: age 10, Daughter
William Spencer: age 8, Son
Leslie Spencer: age 3, Son
1932: City Directory for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon (pg 118):
1935: City Directory for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon (pg 118):
Name: Whitaker Thelma M
Residence Year: 1935
Street Address: 1353 Washington av
Residence Place: Baker City, Oregon, USA
Publication Title: Baker City, Oregon, City Directory, 1935
Note: Thelma and her brother Edward are living with their mother, Ada
Oct 3, 1936: Marriage of Thelma Marie Whitaker & Warren Arthur Spencer, in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Oct 3, 1936: Baker County Marriage Records, Oregon:
Name: Thelma Whittaker
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Birth Date: abt 1913
Marriage Date: 3 Oct 1936
Marriage Place: Baker, Oregon, USA
Spouse: Warren Spencer
Film Number: 004139543
Jan 12, 1940: Federal Census for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Name: Warren Spencer
Age: 29
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1911
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Iowa
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Baker, Baker, Oregon
Map of Home in 1940: Baker, Baker, Oregon
Street: Seventeenth
House Number: 1910
Inferred Residence in 1935: Baker, Baker, Oregon
Residence in 1935: Baker, Baker, Oregon
Occupation: Electrician
Industry: Own Shop
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 2000
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 50
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Household Members: Age, Relationship
Warren Spencer: age 29, Head
Thelma Spencer: age 27, Wife
Brian Spencer: age 1, Son
Adah Rose Spencer: age 5/12 , Daughter
1941: City Directory for Baker City, Oregon (pg 106):
Name: Warren A Spencer
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1941
Street Address: 1910 17th
Residence Place: Baker City, Oregon, USA
Spouse: Thelma M Spencer
Publication Title: Baker City, Oregon, City Directory, 1941
1946: City Directory for Baker City, Oregon (pg 122):
Name: Warren A Spencer
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1946
Street Address: 1440 2d
Residence Place: Baker City, Oregon, USA
Occupation: Electrical Contractor
Spouse: Thelma M Spencer
Publication Title: Baker City, Oregon, City Directory, 1946
Oct 16, 1949: WWII United States Draft Card:
Name: Warren Arthur Spencer
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 30
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 1 Sep 1910
Birth Place: Red Oak, Iowa, USA
Residence Place: Baker, Baker, Oregon, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Oregon, USA
Employer: Self
Weight: 150
Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 10
Next of Kin: Thelma Mary Spencer
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Warren Arthur Spencer Self (Head)
Thelma Mary Spencer Wife
late 1950s: Baker Electric Service truck of Warren Arthur Spencer; son Greg Spencer (b. Sep 1953) is pictured in front:
May 9, 1955: Death of Rozina “Rose” (Callaway) Spencer (age 68), mother of Warren Arthur Spencer, in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon; of a stroke. Rose is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City.
Jul 15, 1960: Death of Ada Agnes (Chamberlin) Whitaker (age 82), mother of Thelma Marie (Whitaker) Spencer, in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon; of pneumonia.
Jul 1960: Democrat Herald, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon:
— Obituaries —
ADA AGNES WHITAKER
Ada Agnes Whitaker, 82, 1710 Valley Ave., died Friday evening at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at West and Co. Chapel and mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Francis Cathedral. Father Charles Young will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mrs. Whitaker, daughter of Lawrence (sic Frank) and Emily Chamberlain, was born in Ft. Worth, Tex., on Nov. 6, 1877. She married Edward L. Whitaker in Grand Junction, Colo., in 1902 and they moved to Baker County that same year. Mr. Whitaker died in 1915.
Mrs. Whitaker moved to Baker in 1917 and served as circulation manager for the Democrat Herald for 27 years. She was a member of the Catholic Church.
Survivors are three sons, Leonard of Roseburg, Ore.; Donald of Santa Paula, Calif.; and Edward of Arcadia, Calif.; three daughters, Vera Gillette of Seaside, Ore., Zelda Alfrey of Portland and Thelma Spencer of Baker; a brother Dr. W.J. Chamberlain of Corvallis; a sister, Mrs. T.H. Rosborough of Baker; 18 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Burial of Ada Agnes (Chamberlin) Whitaker in Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon:
Jul 1960: Ada Agnes (Chamberlin) Whitaker’s children at her funeral: Vera, Edward, Donald, Len, Thelma, Zelda:
Note: Two of Ada’s sons, Howard Chambers and Melvin Whitaker are deceased
Aug 8, 1960: Photo back row: cousin Arlene (Rosborough) Norkool, Aunt Mamie Rosborough, Joan Rosborough (Willard’s wife); front row: Thelma Whitaker, cousin Mildred (Rosborough) Barrick:
Apr 23, 1968: Death of William Lloyd Spencer (age 81), father of Warren Arthur Spencer, in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon; of a stroke. William is buried with his wife Rose in Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City.
Apr 25, 1968, Record-Courier, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
William L. Spencer, Sr., age 81, of 1201 Place Street passed away Tuesday at his home from an apparent heart attack. Service for Mr. Spencer will be conducted Saturday at the Langrell Mortuary Chapel. Obituary will be available for our next issue.
May 2, 1968, Record-Courier, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Services Held For William Spencer Sr.
Funeral services for William Lloyd Spencer, Sr., 81, were conducted April 27, at Langrell Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Joe Jewett of the First Christian Church officiating. Interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Spencer was born August 28, 1886 at Red Oak, Iowa, and was married to Rose Ina Calloway at Red Oak, Iowa, December, 1909. He moved to Oregon in 1912 where he homesteaded 160 acres south of Baker, later moving to Baker where he has resided at 1201 Place St. He was employed by the Triangle Planing Mill in Baker for 30 years where he was a cabinet-maker and carpenter.
He is survived by two brothers, Maurice Spencer of Baker, and Benjamin Spencer of North Pole, Alaska; a sister, Mrs. Ruth McMurren of Baker; Four sons and three daughters; Warren A. Spencer of Baker, Donald L. Spencer of Westfir, Oregon, William L. Spencer, Jr., of Pasco, Wn., Raymond L. Spencer of Boise, Mrs. Clifton Windle of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mrs. John Parks of Pasco, Wn., and Mrs. R.D. Atteberry of Pasco. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Rose Ina Spencer, and one daughter, Mrs. Richard Curd. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
May 8, 1955: Death of Rozina “Rose” (Callaway) Spencer (age 68), mother of Warren Arthur Spencer, in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon, of a stroke.
May 12, 1995: Record-Courier, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Mrs. Rozina Spencer Burial Wednesday
Rozina Spencer, 68, died Monday at her home, 1201 Place St. Mrs. Spencer was born on May 9, 1887, at Muscatine, Iowa. She was married to William Lloyd Spencer at Red Oak, Iowa in 1909.
They came to Baker from Iowa in 1912 where she resided up til her death. Mrs. Spencer was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She is survived by her widower of Baker; four sons, Warren and Lloyd of Baker, Donald L. of Westfir, Oregon, Raymond of Boise; four daughters, Mrs. Doris Wendle of Lakeview, Oregon, Mrs. Audrey Curd of Redding, Calif., Mrs. Lillian Parks of Burbank, Washington, and Mrs. Alma Atteberry of Baker; three brothers, S.D. Calloway of Salem, J.O. Calloway and R.D. Calloway of Baker, and one sister, Mrs. Lillian Croghan of Salem; 22 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at West and Company Chapel. The Reverend Crandall Willson officiated. Interment was in Mt. Hope.
May 27, 1996: Death of Thelma Marie (Whitaker) Spencer, 6th of 7 children of Edward Lawrence Whitaker & Ada Agnes Chamberlin and the wife of Warren Arthur Spencer, in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon; suffered from a stroke
May 27, 1996: Oregon Death Index:
Name: Thelma M Spencer
Age: 83
Birth Date: 16 Nov 1912
Death Date: 27 May 1996
Death Place: Baker
Spouse: Warren
Certificate: 96-11626
Jun 1, 1996: Record-Courier, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
THELMA SPENCER
Thelma M. Spencer, 83, of Baker City, died May 27, 1996, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, 1996 at St. Francis Cathedral, First and Church Streets. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 1996, at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mass of Celebration will be at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Cathedral. There will be a luncheon afterward provided by the St. Francis Altar Society in the church basement.
Mrs. Spencer was born on Patty’s Creek in the mountains east of Baker City on Nov. 16, 1912. Her father died when she was two and her mother moved the family to Baker City. During her school years she was enrolled at St. Francis Academy. After graduation she attended two years of college at St. Francis Normal School. Her first employment was with the Baker Democrat-Herald. She used her first paycheck to buy gifts for each member of her family.
In 1936 she married Warren A. Spencer who owned and operated the Baker Electric Service. Mrs. Spencer raised a family of seven children in addition to serving as bookkeeper for the family business. She strived to inspire in her children a love of learning and an appreciation of the arts. After her children were grown, she continued her interest in painting and music by taking art lessons from Sister Rose de Lima and singing in the church choir. She was also active in the Altar Society, volunteered at the Oregon Historical Society, the library and at the nursing home. She traveled widely throughout the United States, Europe and as far east as Australia.
She touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed by those who knew her. She was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters. Survivors include her husband, Warren A.; Sister-in-law, Jessie Chambers; her children, Brian, Suzy, Cheryl, Jan, Celeste, Greg and Kim; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Center, St. Francis Altar Society or the St. Francis Choir.
Jun 1996: Burial of Thelma Marie (Whitaker) Spencer in Mount Hope Cemetery, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Nov 6, 1997: Death of Warren Arthur Spencer (age 87), 1st of 8 children of William Lloyd Spencer & Rozina “Rose” Callaway and husband of Thelma Marie (Whitaker) Spencer; of a stroke and heart failure in Le Grande, Union Co., Oregon
Nov 6, 1997: Oregon Death Index:
Name: Warren Arthur Spencer
Age: 87
Birth Date: 1 Sep 1910
Death Date: 6 Nov 1997
Death Place: Union
Spouse: Thelma
Certificate: 97-24604
Nov 13, 1997: Record-Courier, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:
Warren Arthur Spencer, 87, Baker City, OR, passed away at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence on Nov 6th, 1997, from causes related to age.
Mr. Spencer was born on Sept. 1, 1910, in Red Oak, Iowa to William Lloyd Spencer and Rosina Callaway. He was two years old when they moved to Baker City and homesteaded south of Baker. He graduated from Baker High and build his first house by age 16. Two weeks after graduating he was working the Siening fishery near Astoria on the Columbia River where he drove the horses that reeled in the large purse siene net that was used to catch the abundant salmon. His nickname was “Pete, the Powder River Kid,” because of his home town on the Powder River. After the season was over he returned to Baker and worked in the lumber trade as a Millworker.
Seeing no future in this he went to work for Anderson Electric Co., and later bought the business and changed the name to Baker Electric Service which he owned and operated for 35 years. He courted and later married the lovely Thelma Whitaker on Oct. 3, 1936, his wife of 50 years. Together they raised seven children and numerous foster children through the Foster Parents Plan.
Warren was the first refrigeration technician in the Northwest and worked as an electrician refrigeration craftsman until his retirement at age 65. His fondest memories were of spending time with his family at Keating where he loved riding horses and teaching his children how to raise and care for their 4-H animals. He went on several wilderness treks on horseback with his brother Ray in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. A crack shot with a shot gun and rifle, he taught all of his children about guns and how to use them and to be safe. Hunting and fishing were the tension relievers in his life. Always being on call to respond to the many customers that relied on him. The only times he could warrant being away from work were the close, short outings into the Blue or Eagle Mountains that he loved so much. He was always there, seven days a week to repair a milking machine or a broken cut-off saw. These were the trade marks that made Baker Electric a successful business.
He was a life member of the Baker Elks Lodge No. 338 and a 35 yr. member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 112 Pasco, WA.
He is survived by sons: Brian Spencer and Katy of La Grande, Or., Gregory Spencer of Vancouver, Wa., daughters Suzanne Spencer of Rockaway, Or., Cheryl South of Vista, Calif., Jan Kirby and John of Portland, Or., Celeste Spencer of Tucson, Az., Kim Dossey and Mark of Washougal, Wa., sister: Alma Atteberry of Dayton, Wa., and brother Raymond Spencer and Donna of Boise, Idaho. Seventeen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and other relations and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Thelma, brothers Donald and Lloyd, sisters Audrey, Lillian and Doris and his parents.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. for immediate family and celebration of mass at St. Frances Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. Lunch to follow after mass in the basement of the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorenbenbecker Children’s Hospital care of Gray’s West & Co.
Nov 17, 1997: Burial of William Arthur Spencer in Mount Hope Cemetery, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Note: The cemetery and headstone pictures are from Find A Grave and are the property of those who photographed them.
2021. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.