Cloudy, 37° F
(March 12, 2003)
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 15 at First Southern Baptist Church for Harry P. (Spike) Essex, Jr., 78, who died Wednesday, March 12 at Powell Valley Care Center.
Pastor Joe Reynolds officiated at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. The Powell Veterans Honor Guard provided military honors.
Mr. Essex was born Feb. 25, 1925, to Harry P. and Earstine (Moore) Essex. He graduated from Powell High School and married Lola Belle Toler on June 2, 1948.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He worked in the oilfields after returning from military service. Later he began work as an ironworker, following jobs in Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota and Colorado. The last 17 years of his working life he spent with Powell Redi-Mix.
After his wife entered the Powell Valley Care Center, he spent considerable time there caring for her. She died in April of 2002.
He was a member of the Southern Baptist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed woodworking, camping and fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his sons, Russell Essex and wife Carla of Mobridge, S.D., and John Essex and wife Jen of Billings, Mont.; daughters Hope Reynolds and husband Joe of Mountain View and Melsene Villegas and husband Frank of Costa Mesa, Calif.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His parents, his wife and a brother, Caroll Kramer, preceded him in death.
Pallbearers at the funeral were Ron Elwood, Bob Blevins, Vern Groskop, Ralph Wensky, Don McKeith and Bob Webber.
Should friends desire, memorials to the Powell Valley Care Center would be appreciated by the family. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
