After a long illness, Leon Spencer, 66, passed away on Aug. 4, 2022, in Bitsi, N.M. He was born in Ganado for the Tsé Ńjíkiní (Honey Combed clan). Born for the Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House clan). In 1958, his family moved to Holbrook where he attended and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1974. Thereafter, he served in the United States Army, as an environmental engineer and was stationed in Germany and toured Central Europe. Upon returning to the United States, he went to school at the former Devry where he studied computer technology and computer aided drafting (CAD) and took every software class that was available to him. He was employed at the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Phoenix. While he was in Phoenix he met his wife of 34 1/2 years, Mary Cecil-Spencer. In 1988, they returned to the Navajo Nation to Mary’s homeland in Bisti, N.M., where they built their home and where he resided the remainder of his lifetime. He also continued his life’s work on environmentally concerns for the Navajo Nation. He was employed by the Indian Health Service/Office of Environmental Health (IHS/OEH) in Chinle and Window Rock, and Shiprock, N.M. He retired as a project manager for the Navajo Nation/Abandoned Mine Land (NN/AML) in Shiprock in September 2020. Thereafter, he continued his service to the Navajo Nation and was the veteran commander and current president of the Tiis Tso Sikaad Chapter House. He was passionate and worked tirelessly for the people of the Navajo Nation. He was a great leader, always looking to apply for new grants and opportunities to assist his community and for those in need. Often traveling and assisting many constituents on the weekends and late hours. It was heart wrenching to know we lost our life’s comedian. He entered heaven and is going to host tonight’s Comedy Club. Knowing Leon, he’s going to do it all in the Navajo language. He was unique and always started his day and/or meetings with a joke. Nothing but laughter to get a serious meeting or a bad day to reverse its course. He loved to see people smile and enjoyed a great laugh. He was the champion of champions and was never afraid and challenged life consistently. Every project he completed was done efficiently and effectively. There was no room for mistakes. Ensuring that deadlines were met and new projects were on the horizon for the community. Ensuring his staff had access and knowledge of the current software available to them. He believed in technology and used it extensively in his life and working environment. He loved the touch of a button to make life easy. He will be missed by many wonderful coworkers, friends, family and community members. He is survived by his wife, Mary Cecil-Spencer of Bisti, N.M.; his daughters, Shellie R. Benally of Farmington, N.M., and Isidra Burdette of San Carlos; eight grandchildren, Kobe C. Gray, Julissa Burdette, Daniella Russell, Nicholas Russell, Noah Russell, Craig Brown, Antonia Brown and Deon Brown; one great-grandchild Luka Kenny Brown; five siblings, Herman Spencer of Show Low, Arthur Spencer of Holbrook, Kathleen Spencer-Bain of Goodyear, and Arthur Spencer, Gloria S. Montoya and Beverly P. Spencer all of Holbrook. He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth W. Brown; his father, Nelson Spencer; and his mother, Lois B. Spencer. Pallbearers are Kobe C. Gray, Craig Brown, Deon Brown, Herman Spencer and Arthur Spencer. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Faith Assembly of God Church, located at 311 E. Erie St. in Holbrook. Interment will be at the Holbrook Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.
