Charles L. Spicer

Charles L. Spicer, longtime Abilene CPA, died Wednesday, September 2, after battling glioblastoma for seven months. Graveside service will be Saturday, September 5, at 11 a.m. at Elmwood Memorial Park with a memorial service in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Participating in the service will be Senior Pastor Dr. Philip Christopher, Senior Adult Pastor Palmer McCown, as well former pastor Dr. Bill Bruster and Rev. David Leyerle, former missions’ pastor. Family visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors, 773 Butternut. A special section will be reserved at the church for current and former Condley and Company employees, First Baptist Church deacons, and Charles’s golf buddies.

Charles Lee Spicer was born May 29, 1930, in Roby, Texas, to Lillian Irene (Mallard) and Franklin Henry Spicer. He moved with his family to Anson, Texas, in 1938 and graduated from Anson High School in 1948. Charles attended Cisco Junior College on a football scholarship and then attended Hardin-Simmons University. After graduating in1952 with a BBA degree, he served in the United States Army and then attended graduate school at the University of Houston.

Charles married Carlene Holder in Cisco on February 27, 1960, and they lived in Abilene their entire married life. They enjoyed traveling, and their favorite trips were those with their grandchildren as they each reached twelve years old. In retirement, Charles played golf with his longtime friends, but his major hobby was gardening. His yard and his beautiful bougainvilleas were admired by all.

Survivors include his wife and their children, Connie Earp (Johnny) of Lubbock, Cindy Spicer of Georgetown, Carrie Spicer of Wylie, and Charles (Amy) Spicer, Jr., of Oklahoma City; as well as six grandchildren, Hollie, Hope, Hannah, and Holder Biemeret and Hamilton and Mallary Spicer; and one great-granddaughter, Halle. He is also survived by a sister, Sue Hill and husband Duane of Midlothian, sister-in-law and husband, Janice and Victor Latham of Abilene, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as two brothers, Frank Spicer, Jr., and Felix Spicer, and a sister, Frankie Cox.

Charles began his work career as a young boy with a paper route and then sold popcorn at the Anson movie theater. He also worked at washing dishes in a café, sacking and stocking groceries, and running the press at a dry cleaning business. His strong work ethic was evident in everything he did.

He started working at Condley-Kinard and Company while at HSU and returned to work at then Condley, Morphew and Company fulltime after his graduate studies at UH. He was licensed as a CPA in 1958 and became a partner in the firm in 1959. He remained with the firm of Condley and Company until retirement in 1990 and felt blessed to always enjoy his work over forty years for the same firm. Charles served president of the Abilene Chapter, TSCPA, and on the Executive Committee of the TSCPA on two different occasions. He also served several on several committees with the American Institute of CPAs. An estate tax specialist, he was highly regarded both by his clients and his peers. Always interested in community affairs, Charles was a past president of the Abilene Jaycees and had served in various capacities in the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Abilene Philharmonic Association, and Cultural Affairs Council.

He was devoted to his family and supported his children in all their activities. He served as co-president of Austin Elementary School and Madison Junior High PTA, as well as president of the Band Boosters at Madison JH and Cooper High School. He was pleased to serve his alma mater as president of the Hardin-Simmons Board of Development and the Hardin-Simmons Alumni Association. A member of the Cowboy Club, he was a loyal fan of the HSU Cowboy Football and Basketball teams and HSU Cowgirl Basketball team.

Charles was proud to serve his church, First Baptist, as a deacon for thirty-nine years and was honored to be a deacon emeritus. He served on many committees during his forty-six years of church membership and was named a church trustee in 1996. He was treasure of the First Baptist Church Foundation from 1997 to 2010. As a member of the church’s Projects Planning Committee from 1994 to 2010, Charles was actively involved as treasurer of three campaigns: Creating Tomorrow, Heritage and Hope, and Fulfilling the Dream. He was most proud of the work of this group, and he loved those with whom he worked.

The family requests memorials to the Charles and Carlene Spicer Endowed Scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University, First Baptist Foundation, or a favorite charity. Special thanks go to Dr. Anton Melnyk and the staff at Texas Oncology, Drs. Gary Goodnight and Jeff Braaten, Hendrick Housecalls and the staff at Hendrick Trauma Center.