KILL DEVIL HILLS — George Jones Spence, Jr., age 89, of Kill Devil Hills, NC died Thursday, July 13, 2017, at his home.
Mr.Spence, a native of Elizabeth City, NC, was the son of the late GeorgeJ. Spence and Pearl Kellam Spence and the husband of Stephanie PittsSpence.
Hewas a retired college professor, actor, director, author, and DareCounty employee. He will be remembered for his love of the local areaand its famous outdoor drama, “The Lost Colony.”
Mr.Spence is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his son, George “Jamie”Spence, and daughter-in-law, Nam Sayavong; his daughter, ShannonDudley, and son-in-law, Rolfe Dudley; and grandchildren, Ryder Dudley,Stephanie Dudley, Takumi Spence, and Tyler Spence, all of Kill DevilHills. He is also survived by his nephews, Al Hargrove of Raleigh andRichard Hargrove of Virginia Beach, Va; his sister-in-law, Pam Goodwin,niece, Laura Walter and their families of Coinjock, NC. He was precededin death by his sister, Elizabeth Ann Hargrove.
Mr.Spence earned a B.A. degree from Wake Forest College in 1951, attendedthe University of North Carolina where he majored in theatre in 1953and attended Florida State University to gain his master’s degree in1958-1960. He taught and served as chairman of the Theatre Departmentat Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory, NC in 1964. In 1965, he becameassociate professor of drama at East Tennessee University in JohnsonCity, Tennessee until 1968.
Hissummers were spent working in dinner theatre and outdoor dramas. Heworked with “The Lost Colony” playing Simon Fernando (1949-1954),Father Martin (1970-1972), and later Governor White (2000-2001). Heappeared in other outdoor dramas, “Horn in the West” (1956), “Home IsThe Hunter” (1964), “Cross and Sword” (1972-1973), and co-starred withhis wife in “Trails of Tears” (1969). He also performed with Theatre ofDare for over 10 years.
Hismost exciting opportunities were working on “The Andy Griffith Show” in1965, “Matlock” in 1989, Ricardo Mantalban on “American Experience” andproducing a production of “Dog in the Manger” with Richard Boone,directing a production of “The Merchant of Venice” with John Carradinein the role of Shylock.
Hislife took a different turn in 1974 when he became employed by DareCounty. He helped create a Public Information office from 1974-1980. In1980, he was asked by the county manager to set up an Emergency MedicalServices program, followed by an Emergency Management program. Heserved as Director on and off from 1980-1992. He was also a volunteerDare County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Hebelonged to many organizations over the years including SoutheasternTheatre Conference, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Screen Actors Guild,and North Carolina Civil Preparedness. He was an EMT and a certifiedEmergency Management Coordinator III.
Amemorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 23, 2017, atKitty Hawk United Methodist Church with the Rev. Betsy Haasofficiating.
Memorial donations may be made to The Lost Colony, 1409 National park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.
Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.TwifordFH.com.
