John Charles (J.C.) Spitzer was born to Dan and Goldie (York) Spitzer on August 24, 1932 at the homesteaded family farm near Berlin, Oklahoma. He passed away on January 18, 2024 having been surrounded by family and friends.
He attended his early school years in Berlin, Oklahoma graduating with the Sayre class of 1951. After graduation he served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. After his discharge, he returned to Sayre and attended Sayre Junior College. It was during this time that he met Shirley Welch and sparks flew! They were married May 24, 1960 and relocated soon after to Guymon, where he attended Panhandle State University. They made their way to Stillwater, where he graduated from Oklahoma State University. J.C. began his long career with the USDA - Soil Conservation Service. Serveral Job moves to locations in Oklahoma occurred. J.C. and Shirley were blessed with children Suzie, Bindy, John and Joan.
The family relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where J.C. retired in 1988. After retirement they returned to Sayre. J.C. raised cattle and was an avid gardener. He always seemed to be building or fixing something. He was an active member of the Sayre Church of Christ were he served as a deacon and food pantry coordinator for many years.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Dan and Goldie Spitzer; his in-laws, Elgia and Mae Welch; brother, Ivan Spitzer and wife, Sue; granddaughter, Jordyne Salinas Doyal; brothers and sisters- in-law, Bill Welch, Anthony Welch, John Welch, Troy and Jane Welch, Dean and Della Wolf, E.J. Meadows, Barb Williams and Domer Miller.
J.C. is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley, of the home; daughters, Suzie Salinas and husband, Joe, Cherokee, OK, Belinda Hall, Austin, TX, and Joan Spitzer, Sayre, OK; 1 son, John Spitzer, Enid, OK; grandchildren, Kyle Hall and companion, Jen Bianchi, Kingston, WA, Paige Hall, St. Louis, MO, Trey Salinas and wife, Kori, Kiowa, KS, Chase Hall, Georgetown, TX, and Kyle Doyal, Purcell, OK; great grandchildren, Kori and Kodi Doyal and Gabriel Salinas. He is also survived by his sister and brothersin- law, Ray and Shirley Welch, Hazel Miller, Chuck and Sharon Welch, Joy Meadows, Dorothy and Ray Aduddell, Betty and Leslie Newsom, Bud Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Sayre Church of Christ officiated by Billy Clabaugh. Arrangements are under the direction of Chris Whinery and the staff of Affordable Cremation Service- West. Condolences can be made online at www.classicfuneals. com The family suggest memorial contributions be made in J.C.’s memory to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104-9930.
