Barry 'Bear' Spooner, 73
Barry Spooner, 73, went peacefully in his sleep "to his heavenly reward" on Sept. 16, 2006.
He was born the fourth child of Alphonse and Agnes Spooner in Shelby, on Nov. 22, 1932. He grew up in Shelby across from the city swimming pool and consequently was an outstanding swimmer as well as a great athlete. When he was young his parents divorced, and his mom remarried and moved to the Ferndale/Bigfork area in 1947 where his family homesteaded a beautiful farm. There he developed skills in hunting and fishing, and learned to love the outdoors. He also attended Bigfork schools through high school.
Barry worked for Royal Logging right out of high school. He joined the Navy CBs and spent time in the Philippines and Guam.
He married Patsy Cork on July 5, 1955. They were married for 38 years, and then Patsy "went to be with the Lord." They moved around a little, Swan Lake, Anaconda, and in the late '50s made a home out of five acres on the Flathead River near Kalispell. There they raised four children (and a couple of horses, several dogs, various cats, rabbits, cattle, chickens and gardens … and gardens … and gardens).
Barry worked for Royal Logging and several other logging companies for about 40 years. He spent his last working years before retirement in the mill yards at Plum Creek and Ksanka.
In 1970, the Spooners came to Christ in the Kalispell Church of the Nazarene on Second Avenue and Fourth Street. Barry and Patsy Spooner found a "spiritual family" in that fellowship and they became strong, active leaders. Eventually Barry was a longtime board member. He really loved the Lord and his church. Often his children could find him with his Bible open, on his knees, praying for his family. His family will testify that Barry was a tenderhearted, loyal, soft-spoken man. He had a strong work ethic, loved his family and his God.
On March 4, 1994, he married Gayle Ward, the new love of his life. They spent 12 1/2 years together working, loving and caring for each other. "Bear" also considered Gayle's two daughters as his own. He already is missed immensely.
Barry is survived by his wife, Gayle; her two daughters, Joyce Sagmiller, Omi and Dayna Proud; his brothers, Bob and Maureen Spooner, Charlie Knapp, John Spooner, Raymond Spooner; sisters, Nita Haskett, Vivian Peters and Bud, Anna Hamann; children, Lennie and Betty Spooner, Kerry and Kathy Spooner, Kim and Dale Jung, Mike and Bonnie Spooner; grandchildren, Sally Darnell, Barry Spooner Jr., Blair Smith, Ross, Cole, and Cory Spooner, Adrienne, Kendra, Caleb, Haley, and Shayna Jung, Dylan Bovee, Stetson Spooner; Sonia Couch, Gerald Johnson; great-grand children, Danaeh Darnell and Hannah Couch.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 19, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with the Rev. Lennie Spooner officiating. Burial will b afterward at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.
Memorials are suggested to The Parkinson Support Center of Kentuchiana, 4912 U.S. 42, Suite 105, Frazier Rehab Institute, Louisville, KY 40222.