Hartley Walter Spinks Funeral Program

In Loving Memory

Hartley Walter Spinks

March 3, 1920 – July 4, 2004

Hartley Walter Spinks

March 3, 1920 – July 4, 2004

Gathering In……………...………………………...……………...

- Selections from Hartley’s piano recordings

Opening Song: I Love to Serve My Jesus……………………….

- Congregational singing

Obituary…………………..……………………………….………

- Byron Spinks

Song: Living For Jesus……………..……………………………

- Quintet (Jonathan & Cindy Carver, Ivan & Eileen Eck, Byron Spinks)

Memories………………………………………………..………..

- Richard Gremillion & Genevieve Carver

Song: Fill My Cup, Lord……………………………..………….

- Quintet (Jonathan & Cindy Carver, Ivan & Eileen Eck, Byron Spinks)

Message…………………………………………….…………….

- Mark Spinks

Prayer……………………………………………….……………

- Robert Lauris Spinks

Closing Song: I Am the Lord’s………………………….……...

- Congregational Singing

Viewing……………………………………………….…………..

- Selections from Hartley’s piano recordings

Private Family Prayer…………………………………………...

- Jim Gstohl

Graveside

Song: Beautiful………………….……………………………….

- Congregational Singing

Message & Prayer……………......………………………………

- Ivan Eck

******************************************************

Pallbearers

Mark Spinks

Byron Spinks

Ivan Eck

Andrew Spinks

Trisdan Eck

A.J. Linson

Conrad Neel

Jonathan Carver

Honorary Pallbearers

Robert Lauris Spinks

Wilbert Wallace

Obituary

Hartley Walter Spinks was born in Converse, Louisiana on March 3, 1920, to Walter Washington Spinks and Margarete Ethel Neel Spinks. He was the oldest of three children to survive infancy, and is survived by his sister, Annie Ruth Spinks McFerren, of Shreveport, Louisiana and his brother, Robert Lauris Spinks and wife Arlene, of Denton, Texas.

Hartley served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, in the China-India-Burma theater, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged on December 3, 1945 after receiving a back injury during the course of his duties.

On April 1, 1951, he married Dorothy Lee Paul Spinks, and after 53 years of marriage is survived by her and their three children, Mark Paul Spinks and wife Elois, of Jefferson, Oregon, Byron Walter Spinks and wife Lynette, of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Eileen Faith Spinks Eck and husband Ivan, of Edna, Kansas. Of ten grandchildren, he is survived by nine, who are in order of birth: Coquetta Sue Spinks, Adriane Emily Spinks, Abigail Grace Spinks, Heidi Yvonne Eck, Andrew Ethan Spinks, Trisdan Chad Eck, Levi Daniel Eck, Mecia Danielle Eck, and Katerin Margaret Spinks. He is survived by one great-grandchild, Victoria Rose, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Hartley worked for the U.S. Post Office for over 31 years and after his retirement was employed by the YMCA. He had many interests and launched several business ventures after his retirement. Among many hobbies he was known for his expertise in raising African violets and day-lilies, and was an active member for many years in the Hemerocallis Society. He loved music and art, and was accomplished in oil painting, photography, and playing the piano. Most of all he loved God, and sought to please Him in how he lived. He believed that anyone who repented of their sins and turned their hearts to God were born again as one of God’s children. He spent many hours in singing songs of praise to God, and in studying from His word.

Hartley spent many hours outside caring for his garden and flowers. He worked hard to have a beautiful yard, and had a great love for plants and trees of all kinds. He loved animals, too, and for most of his life kept a few milk cows and chickens. From time to time he would raise more exotic animals as well, such as parakeets, finches, and rabbits.

Hospitality came natural to him, and he was known for inviting strangers home for dinner and an evening of music or good conversation. He was especially attracted to people of other cultures, especially those from Central America. He taught himself to speak Spanish fluently, and made several trips to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Hartley departed this life in the early hours of Sunday, July 4, 2004. After 84 years of life, he has finished his course. The dry facts of his life cannot express the tender, loving soul of a husband, father, and grandfather who exhibited all of his life a sweet spirit. His love, faithfulness and dedication to his family was complete, and exceeded only by his love for God.

The family would like to thank the paramedics and crew of Fire District 1 and the staff, nurses, and CNA’s of Odyssey Hospice for their care and support through Hartley’s lengthy illness, and especially Denova Lott for her exceptional dedication.