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Shirley Almas
Spencer, 68, of Meridian, passed away at St. Luke's Hospital
on July 4, 2008, with many loved ones at her side after a
long valiant fight against Ovarian Cancer. Shirley was born
August 21, 1938, in Lynwood, Calif. and graduated from
Lynwood High School in 1957. She then attended Compton
Junior College and later moved to Downey, Calif. She worked
many years for the family business, Almas Brothers House
movers, in Gardena, Calif. In the 1960s Shirley volunteered
at the Armed Services YMCA in Long Beach, Calif. as a
Supervisor of Activities and Hostess to our Servicemen.
There she met and later married John R. Spencer, Jr. Shortly
after their marriage Shirley and John enlarged their family
with the addition of John's brothers, Billy-seven,
Jimmy-nine and his sister, Signe-17. In 1971, Shirley gave
birth to John R. Spencer, III (Little John), who would be
forever the love of her life. She was truly a loving, caring
and nurturing mother. John and Shirley started their
business, Associated Pacific Movers, which relocated to
Meridian, Idaho in the early 1970s. While in Meridian,
John and Shirley helped start the Idaho Express Wresting
Club for Children, which is still active today. She
became active with the Meridian Library Board due to her
passion for books and all type of literature. John and
Shirley later divorced. In the 1980s Shirley returned to
Chino, Calif. and continued to work for the family business,
now Almas International. In Chino she became very active
with the Chino YMCA, Chino Rotary, as a Board Member for
Golden Gloves, and USA Wrestling as a Pairing Official.
Shirley loved to travel, which included officiating and
teaching pairing for many College and Amateur Wrestling
Tournaments. She was invited to run the Wrestling Venue at
the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Ga., and did so with
great pride. In 1997 Shirley returned to Meridian after
retiring and selling the family business. She continued to
volunteer with Meridian Rotary and the Meridian Library
Board. Shirley was a true friend to many, many people. She
loved life and was delighted in sharing her interests in
cooking, literature, and travel. She truly cared and wanted
to help others through volunteer work, by simply assisting
college students and friends with a good home or other ways
too many to mention. She is survived by her Son, John R.
Spencer, III (Little John) and Ali Roper of Meridian, sister
and brother-in-law Sandy and Richard Sampson of Boise,
cousin Gary Almas of California, cousin Stewart Almas of
Kentucky, nephew Michael Sampson of North Carolina, nieces
Lisa Spencer of Meridian, Gretchen Blackman of Meridian,
Rebecca Blackman of Boise, Bridgett Eytchison of Boise,
Chelsi Spencer of Boise, and her loveable dog Max, along
with many wonderful friends and extended family. She was
preceded in death by her Parents, Alice and Charles Almas,
and grandparents. The family would like to give special
thanks to Dr. Norm Zuckermann, Dr. Mark Johnson, all the
doctors and nursing staff at MSTI, her wonderful caregivers,
and St. Luke's Hospital in Boise and Meridian along with the
St. Luke's Hospice Staff. You were really great. Published in
the Idaho Statesman on
7/20/2008
One of the victims of the
recent flooding is the Dan Gable International Wrestling
Institute and Museum in Waterloo. When I last talked to Mike
and Bev Chapman June 12, water still filled the basement and
was 3' deep on the main floor. I have contacted a large
restoration company who can dry the many documents and
memorabilia the Chapmans have collected, but one of the
problems is money. There will probably be some federal funds
and insurance money available, but it won't cover all the
bills. Here's where you can help. I'm asking all head
coaches, head officials, wrestling clubs, and wrestling fans
to donate whatever amount you're comfortable with to help
pay for the clean-up. Donations can be made directly to the
museum, and you can specify that the money is to be used
specifically for this purpose. The address is:
The Iowa Wrestling
Federation is donating $500 to help. The Museum is a
one-of-a-kind treasure. It would be a shame to lose
it.--Mike Garvey, Head Official, Iowa Wrestling
Federation.
Dan Gable Int'l
Wrestling Institute and Museum
303 Jefferson Street
Waterloo, Iowa 50701