Dale Spond

Dale Eugene Spond, 91 years old, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023, in Littleton
Hospital surrounded by loving family.
Dale was born on November 23, 1931, in Saint Francisville, Illinois to Hazel and Noble Spond. He was born during the Depression in a rural farm house. He attended Buchanan Elementary, a small country school through grade 8. A sister, Katie, joined the family when Dale was 13 years old. Dale attended Evansville College in 1950. He met his beloved wife, Charlotte in 1951, while she was working at the bakery across the street from Evansville College. He proposed to Charlotte on Valentine's Day, 1953. Dale was then drafted into the army and left for basic training on November 24, 1953. After completing basic training, Dale and Charlotte married on January 16, 1954.
They resided in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the first of their seven children, Lois was born on December 3, 1954. After serving for two years, Dale was discharged in November of 1955, with the end of the Korean War. They returned to Evansville to finish college, and Judy was born in September 1956. Dale graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. After graduation, Dale and Charlotte moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and took a job with AVCO to develop a radar system for determining the height of incoming aircraft. While in Cincinnati, their first son, Rich was born on
December 30, 1957 and Don was born a year later on December 19, 1958.
In 1960, Dale came to Colorado with Charlotte and four little ones, and accepted a job with Martin Marietta. He had never been west of the Mississippi; they were to settle in Littleton, Co. Dale was soon after sent to Florida for a period of time to work on the launch of the Titan II missile. Dale worked for Martin from 1960 until April 1, 1992, when he retired.
Three more sons were born to Dale and Charlotte in Colorado, Kenny, on June 5, 1963, John was born on June 5, 1965, and Tom completed the family on November 22, 1968.
Dale had an enormous love for dogs. We expect that many of his faithful friends were waiting at the gates of Heaven to welcome him home.
Dale had a passion for writing poems, and reading them aloud at family gatherings. He also developed an interest in wood-carving and blessed his family and friends with many of his carvings.
He and Charlotte attended Saint Francis Cabrini Church in Littleton for 50 years, always in attendance at the 4:15 Saturday Mass. Dale was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9349 for many years and became a 4th Degree member of St. Padre Pio Assembly on June 7, 1998. It is safe to say that he was well-liked and respected by all who served with him.
Dale leaves behind his legacy and his wife of nearly 70 years, Charlotte. Dale is survived by all of his children, Lois, Judy, Rich (Pam), Don (Jan), Ken, John (Carmen), Tom (Kelly). He also leaves behind seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Katie Behymer (Mike) of Nashville, TN; sister-in-law, Jean Kruse of Evansville, IN; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved pups, Callie and Icee.
A Rosary will be held on Monday, May 8, at 7:00 pm at Horan & McConaty located at 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. The family will receive guests from 6-8 pm with a slideshow and a time for sharing favorite memories of Dale.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will take place at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Littleton at 6673 W. Chatfield Ave. on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 1:15 pm.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Denver Dumb Friends League in honor of Dale and his true love for animals, especially dogs.
The website is ddfl.org/donation-center (Give a Tribute)