Spencer R. Symons, 85

Spencer R. Symons, 85, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at his home in Post Falls.

He was born in Huetter on March 18, 1926, the son of Spencer N. and Zelda (Babbitt) Symons.

Spencer grew up on the family farm in Huetter and attended local schools enlisting at age 17 in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater including Iwo Jima and was wounded in action twice. He served as a rifleman and later carried a flame thrower for advancing forces.

He returned to Idaho and married Katherine Tappen in Coeur d'Alene in November 1953 and later divorced. He met and married Alice McIntosh Huggins in Coeur d'Alene on June 19, 1959, and together made their home in Post Falls on the farm. He raised Appaloosa Horses and became a founding member of the Appaloosa Horse Club.

Spencer worked for Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane for 32 years before retiring on his farm. He was a member of the local VFW and LDS Church.

Survivors include his children: stepdaughter Barbara Dill of Kermit, Texas; stepson Robert Huggins of Plummer; stepdaughter Blanch Ann Poff of Salem, Ore.; daughter Frances Galloway of Post Falls; son Joe Symons of Ottumwa, Iowa; and son Doc Symons of Athol. His siblings Linda Bones, Norman Symons, Mary Collman, Eugene Morris, William Morris and Alyce Gobble also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, daughter Dawn Lynn, son Tommy Lee and brothers Rex, Robert and Richard.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls, with full military honors. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene.

A potluck reception will be held following the graveside services at the Cloverleaf Grange in Post Falls.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Spencer's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.