Herbert Lee Spain Jr.

Herbert Lee Spain, Jr., 90, passed away May 11, 2019, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia and per his wishes, he was cremated.

Jr. was born August 9, 1928, in Burns, to Herbert L. Sr. and Etta (Craig) Spain. He grew up on various ranches in the area while his father worked as a laborer. They moved to Fallon, NV, for Herbert Sr. to work on dam projects. Etta signed enlistment papers for Jr. to join the United States Navy in 1945 because he was underage. He served two years on the USS Arkansas as a fireman during the Korean War. Jr. was honorably discharged when Arkansas was decommissioned to be used for bomb testing in the Pacific. He returned to Chase County to work for Rogers Standard Station.

On January 12, 1950, he married Bonnie L. Betty in Strong City. They shared 69 years of marriage.

They settled back into Strong City where he worked for Stubenhofer Plumbing, Croy Furniture and the Gas Service Company before fully retiring to enjoy his hobby of fixing “junk”. Highlights of Jr’s life was being fire chief for Strong City, going on a Kansas Honor Flight with his son-in-law Steve, and his first great-grandson playing college football.

Jr. is survived by: wife, Bonnie, of the home; daughter, Pamela Zimmerman and husband Steve; 6 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Mark.

No services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to Chase County for the Fire Department in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.

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