Eugene (Joe) Spendlove

Eugene (Joe) Spendlove, age 84, died Monday, February 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born July 1, 1933 in Virgin, Utah to Karl Ervin and Lenora Barney Spendlove. On November 15, 1956 he married his sweetheart, Emma Frances Cox. They were sealed one year later in the St. George LDS Temple.

Joe, as he was known by most of his family, grew up in Virgin, Utah where he learned to work hard at an early age and began working at his first paid job when he was 8 years old. After he graduated from Hurricane High School in 1952, he began working full time as a farmer for E.J. Graff. Joe was drafted into the Army and served from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean War. He became a wheel vehicle mechanic and later was assigned as a driver for General Garr, a Four Star General. After Joe’s two years in the Army he began working in St. George, Utah for a propane gas company. He was asked to go to Las Vegas, NV for one month to get a branch of this company started. He worked for the gas company for four years before he was hired by the Las Vegas Fire Department where he worked for 29 years, first as a firefighter and then as an engineer.

Joe had many interests. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and trapping with his family. His favorite interest was missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to share the gospel message.

Survivors include his wife, Frances, of 61 years, sons Eugene (Julianne), David (Pamela), Lorin (Janet), and daughters LaResa and Melissa (Ben) LeBaron and daughter in law Julia, all of Las Vegas, NV, 36 favorite grandchildren, 26 favorite great grandchildren, with two more great granddaughters on the way, his brother, Waldo (Winnie) and his sister, Priscilla (Varl) Riding both of Fredonia, AZ. He was predeceased by his son Kelvin, two grandsons Logan and Benjamin, his parents and five sisters and three brothers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations go to the L.D.S. missionary fund.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. Nevada time at the Sunrise Terrace Ward Chapel, 2295 N. Walnut, Las Vegas, NV. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the Palm Northwest Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com

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