Charles W. Spooner

Charles was born on November 17, 1921 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Mary Margaret O’Keefe and Charles Richard Spooner. In the Summer of 1934 he moved to Kansas City and graduated from Westport High School in 1939. Charles attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where he obtained a B.A. degree and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Charles entered the United States Army and served during WWII. He set a world’s weightlifting record in 1943 while in the Army. After the war, he entered the show business world. He did a strength and hand balancing act in night clubs and theaters throughout the country for over 10 years. He was listed in “Who’s Who” in Show Business 1952 under Variety Acts and featured in “Incredible But True,” “Strange as it Seems,” and Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” for his feats of strength.

While in show business, he met the love of his life, Joan, a professional dancer from Winnipeg, Canada. They were both in the same show performing at the Music Hall in Kansas City when they met. There were married in 1952 in Winnipeg.

Charles attended law school at the University of Kansas City School of Law and graduated in 1956. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1956 and started his own law firm in Clay County with Gene McFadin (now deceased). McFadin and Spooner practiced law together for over 40 years and Charles developed the reputation of being a “lawyer’s lawyer.” He and his son, Bill, started practicing law together in 1987 and he practiced at Spooner & Perkins, PC until late 2012.

Charles was a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the Clay County Bar Association, the Kansas City Bar Association, the American Trial Attorneys Association and the Missouri Trial Attorneys Association. In 2006 the Missouri Bar conferred to Charles the title of Senior Counselor and the Clay County Bar Association recognized him for 50 years of admission to the Missouri Bar Association.

Charles was a private pilot for many years and was a member of the “Quiet Birdmen Kansas City Hanger.” Charles was a founding member of the North Kansas City Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Charles is survived by his loving wife Joan, his daughter April Long and her husband Gary, his son Bill Spooner and his wife Robin. He is also survived by five grandchildren Grant Long and his wife Charity, Alexandra Long, Taylor Spooner, Jack Spooner and Avery Spooner. He was predeceased by his mother and his brother Richard Spooner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Charles took great pride in the fact that his son, Bill, his daughter-in-law Robin, and his son-in-law Gary are all lawyers. Charles was a loving husband, father and grandfather and he was a friend to everyone he met. His kind spirit, gentleness and sense of humor was treasured by all who came in contact with him. He was a dignified and gracious “gentleman” and a child of God who will be missed by many.

Visitation with the family will be on Sunday February 17, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64155. The funeral will be on Monday, February 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans.