Obituary of Col. Les Spangler

Lyman Milton (Les) Spangler, age 76, of Camdenton, Missouri, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2009 at Windsor Estates Care Center in Camdenton. Les was born April 2, 1933 in Ashville, Ohio, a son to Homer and Florence (Mai) Spangler. Les was united in marriage on June 12, 1982 in Overland Park, Kansas to Kimberley Hobbs and together they had shared the past 27 years until his passing. Les entered the United States Army in February 1952 and served as an enlisted man until graduating from Officer Candidate School in July 1954. Les served in Korea, Europe and the Republic of Vietnam. He served in 101st Airborne Division, 11th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and Military Assistance Advisory Group; 10th Gp.; 18th Airborne, and Combat Arms Gp. Combats Developments Command. Among his many award and decorations were the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit w/cluster, American Expeditionary Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 3 Campaign Stars, Vietnam Chung My Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Purple Heart and others. Upon retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 0-5 on June 1, 1974, Colonel Spangler had attended no fewer than seven military schools and had earned Military Specialties as a Nuclear Weapons Instructor, Foreign Intelligence Analyst, Ranger Officer and a Master Parachutist as well as earning his BA in History/Political Science, MA in European Studies and training with the Armed Forces Language Institute. The Missouri House of Representatives along with State Representative Wayne Cooper, M.D., recognized Les with House Resolution No. 1820, �being an individual that has contributed to the welfare of this great state and its citizens.� �Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-fourth General Assembly, join to extend our deepest and sincerest gratitude to Lt. Col. Lyman �Les� Spangler for the incalculable service this soldier has given so courageously and yet so blithely given to his nation and his state and to whom we will forever be beholden, as the debt owed him is immeasurable.� Aside from his outstanding Military Service, Les had served as president of the Camelot Estates Association; the American Heart Association in Kansas and had also served as the president for Public Water and Sanitation District Number 3 in Camdenton. Les had also taught as a college instructor, teaching history and political science at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. Les is survived by his loving wife Kim of the home; sons, Josh Spangler of Kansas City, Missouri and Scott Spangler of the state of California; two daughters, Barbara Jo Spangler of Kansas City, Missouri and Leslie Spangler of the state of Texas; two sisters, Dorothy Gilmore and Nancy Ott both of Circleville, Ohio, along with several other relatives and many dear friends. Les was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jerry; and one sister, Esther.