Chester Edward Spencer, Jr.

Chester E. Spencer, Jr. (Choppy) passed away peacefully on October 13, 2022, at the age of 88 in Arlington, Texas surrounded by his loving family. Choppy was born May 23, 1934, in Bastrop, LA to Chester E. Spencer, Sr. and Emma Lou Spencer (Carpenter). He was raised in Borger, TX where he met his wife Wanda, and graduated from Borger High School in 1952. While in high school, Choppy was all-district in football in ’51, all-district in baseball in ’51-52, and all-state choir in ’51. He went on to attend Oklahoma A&M University (Oklahoma State University) on a football scholarship where he excelled as a player being named a 1955 Big 8 all-conference end. Rather than play professional football, despite being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During his tenure at Oklahoma A&M, he was a member of Pi Tau Sigma honorary engineering fraternity and was a distinguished military graduate, commissioned as an officer upon graduation in 1957 in the army reserve and honorably discharged with rank of captain in 1968. During this time, he worked for Humble Oil as a production engineer until 1962.

Redirecting his life, he returned to college gaining the necessary credit to gain admission to the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1963 where he found his true passion for a professional career. There he excelled, which was his standard, by being elected class president and becoming a member of Psi Omega fraternity. He was chosen as a member of the Baylor University Odonotological Society and elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor fraternity. He received his D.D.S. degree in 1967 receiving the gold medal as the top graduate in his class with the highest scholastic average. He was immediately accepted as a resident in the Baylor University Dental School Orthodontic program and received his post graduate M.S.D. in the specialty of Orthodontics in 1969. During Orthodontic residency he was recognized as Baylor’s recipient of the annual award given by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry.

Following his dental education, he immediately opened his practice in Grand Prairie, TX where he practiced for over forty years specializing in orthodontics for children and adults, serving multiple generations before retiring in 2011. Highly sought after and successful in private practice, he was also universally recognized by his peers as a master of his specialty. He was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and distinguishments from dental organizations and patients alike. As a final achievement he pursued and received board certification in the American College of Orthodontics.

Choppy had many talents and interests excelling in anything and everything. He loved golf, tennis, billiards and chess and was hard to beat. More than these, his favorite past times were spending time in Colorado and hunting and fishing with his beloved family and numerous friends. His last interest was the machinist trade for which he studied and took courses leading to the creation of a machinist’s shop in his office garage where he spent his spare time. At 88, Choppy just ran out of time to find other things to master!

The above is a testimony to his intelligence and athleticism. However, his greatest accomplishment and gift to us was his love of family, humbleness in victory, and generosity to a fault. Many knew him for his sense of humor, but he was also a private man who knew and loved the Lord. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Wanda June Spencer (Melton), and his parents Chester E. and Emma Lou Spencer. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Poticny (Dan); his grandchildren, Todd Poticny (Marci), Taylor Althausen (Ryan); great grandchildren, Myles and Mitchell; sister, Wanda Berry; brother, Bobby Jack Spencer; several nieces and a nephew; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Chester will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home, 2951 S. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052. His funeral service will occur Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2951 S. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052. The committal service will follow at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by calling 800-272-3900 or www.alz.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beanmasseyburge.com for the Spencer family.