Rupert Spive

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Rupert Spivey

FAIRMONT — Rupert B. Spivey, 85, peacefully left this world on Jan. 21, 2013.

He was born in Marietta Township on Nov. 3, 1927, a son of the late Cora and Wilmer.

Rupert graduated from Fairmont High School, attended Mars Hill College and graduated from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with a degree in mining engineering. He was also selected to participate in the Sloan Fellowship Program at Stanford University. Rupert served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and in the Army during the Korean Conflict.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. today at Bear Swamp Baptist Church of Lake View.

While in New Mexico, he fell in love with Cecilia E. Rowe and they married on Dec. 28, 1954. His career was long and varied. He was a design engineer with Allis-Chalmers Company in Milwaukee, Wis., was a mining engineer with San Manual Copper Corporation in San Manual, Ariz., and was a supervisor and manager for Kennecott Copper in Silver City, N.M., and Exxon Mining Company in Houston, Texas. After working into his 70s, he retired while residing in Albuquerque, N.M.

In addition to his career, Rupert loved baseball. While playing minor league baseball himself, he enjoyed coaching his two boys in baseball, football, tennis and took satisfaction in helping all three children with their studies. He was also an avid reader, continuing his quest for lifelong learning.

Rupert was preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia; his sister, Elizabeth; his brother, Carroll; and his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Anne and husband Jack; his son, Everett, and son, Robert and wife Pu Yong; his grandchildren, Rochelle and Samuel; his sister, Coralie, a brother, Elwood; and six nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, Okla., 73123-1718 in Rupert’s name.

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