Paul B. Spess

Paul Berness Spess, 92, passed from this life on December 16, 2018, at his home in Jennings, Oklahoma.

Paul was born on April 18, 1926, in the Basin Area of Mannford, Oklahoma. He was the son of Edgar Ray and Ruby Bernice (Mitchell) Spess. Paul attended Mannford Schools, graduating with the Class of 1944. Following his graduation, Paul began working with his father and brothers in the oil field. Several years later the three brothers along with their father established Spess Oil Company. The company soon expanded establishing Spess Drilling and Spess Farms. In 1945, Paul was united in marriage to Wilma Marvella Rossman. The couple established their home in the East Basin area of Mannford where they raised their four children, Rick, Lindy, Kathy and Kim. Paul worked as the field operations superintendent for Spess Oil stating that he never really wanted an office job. Being able to be outside making sure things were operating and working as they should made him an integral part of the company. Paul was never afraid to work and loved being able to get in and help with whatever was needed. In the late 1970s, Paul purchased the property West of Jennings and built his current home. Paul was active daily in the company’s operations until late 2012. However, Paul was still active in wanting to know what was happening and going on in the business usually coming to the office on most Wednesdays.

During his younger years, Paul built a motor scooter using an old washing machine engine and other scavenged parts. He was very handy and mechanically inclined, often making things work that others said was impossible. Many projects were always going on around his house, including a garden, as well as building barns and sheds. Family vacations were always a fun time. They went to Colorado, New Mexico, and Yellowstone to name just a few. Paul also built a camper that they took on vacations on several occasions. Paul always enjoyed having family around and learning new things. He had a passion for agriculture especially his cattle and enjoyed every opportunity he could being on the farm.

Survivors are his children; Richard Spess and his wife Barbara of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Paul (Lindy) Spess and his wife Paula of Luther, Oklahoma, Kim Mixon and her husband Mick of Poteau, Oklahoma, Alan Bell, son-in-law of Stillwater, Oklahoma; the mother of his children Wilma of the home; one brother Carol Spess and his wife Romanza of Mannford, Oklahoma, four grandchildren Luke Bell of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Chad Mixon and his wife Stephanie of Tampa, Florida, Ricky Spess of Enid, Oklahoma, Cody Spess of Luther, Oklahoma; two great-grandsons Otto and Axel as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Ruby Spess, sister Phyllis Pulliam, brother Frank Spess and a daughter Kathy Bell.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, December 20, 2018, in the Sanctuary of the First Christian Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Bruce DeLay and David Logsdon officiating. Viewing will be Wednesday, December 19, 2018, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Mannford. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Paul at www.chapman-black.com.

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