Obituary of Max Marlin Spencer

Max Marlin Spencer of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away on August 25th 2021 age 86. Max was born on January 10, 1935 in Rocky Ford, Colorado and was the son of Beulah and Paul Spencer. He attended Oklahoma State University where he earned his Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. He was president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and was awarded a National Science Foundation award. While in school, he met and married his wife of over 64 years, Sherrill Lucille Spencer, who preceded him in death. After college he joined the Army, where he redesigned the bolt action of the M14 rifle and helped develop armor piercing shells. He was discharged as a Captain in the Army in 1965. After the Army, Max went to work for the Boeing Company and retired after 30 years as a Director of Engineering in 1989. While at Boeing, he received numerous awards and was a designated Engineering Representative for the FAA. He received a NASA award for working on the space shuttle in 1974. Max was very involved with his children and coached his sons in football, baseball, basketball and soccer. He was Northwest Regional Indian Guide Chief from 1966 to 1968 and National Chief in 1967. He was a member of the Elk Yacht Club and the Hat Island Yacht Club and enjoyed many years of boating with his wife Sherry. He moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona with Sherry in 1993 and they spent summers on the boat. He was an avid golfer, and in high school was the club champion in Parkland, Washington. He continued to win many tournaments and honors as a member of Ironwood and Oakwood Clubs and enjoyed playing regularly with friends and family. Max and Sherry loved to travel, especially on cruises. They were able to travel around the world on more than a dozen cruises, including many with the family. Max is survived by his daughter Paula Lomax, sons Jeff Spencer and Michael Spencer, grandchildren Crystal Connors, Michael Lomax, Stefany Mhyre, David Spencer, and Richard Spencer, and six great grandchildren. Max was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Max was a friend to all and was a kind and generous man that always had a positive outlook on life.