Col. Lonnie Raymond Spivey, Ret., USAF

Lonnie Raymond Spivey, 86, of Fort Walton Beach, entered the gates of heaven at 12:55 PM on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

Lonnie was born in Waco, Texas on July 12, 1932 to Ivers and Rose Ella Spivey. Lonnie was a graduate of Waco High School where he met his future wife, Margaret Robinett. He married Margaret in Biloxi, Mississippi on June 14, 1952 at Keesler AFB.

Colonel Spivey received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Maryland in 1975 and a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Guidance from Troy State University in 1976. His professional military education included Squadron Officer School in 1963, Air Command and Staff College in 1971 and Air War College in 1976.

Colonel Spivey was a master navigator with more than 4,500 flying hours, including flying time in the C-47, C-119, B-36,T29,AC-47,and HC-130 aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Colonel Spivey has also received the Air Medal on ten separate occasions.

Lonnie went on to lead an exemplary career in the U.S. Air Force where he graduated from Officers Candidate School at Maxwell AFB in 1958.  Lonnie was promoted to the rank of Colonel on November 1, 1979. During his 37 years in the Air Force, Colonel Spivey was the first navigator to have the honor of serving as Base Commander at Langley AFB. He was also the first navigator to serve as the USAF Commander of Templehof, Berlin. His duties included the privilege of hosting foreign presidents, dignitaries and even President Ronald Reagan and wife, Nancy in 1987. Colonel Spivey and Margaret, that he affectionately called "his bride", settled in Fort Walton Beach after his retirement on December 31, 1988.

Colonel Spivey's hobbies included hunting, golfing, playing the ukulele, building model trains and cheering "War Eagle" for the Auburn Tigers.  He enjoyed serving and volunteering with the Kiwanis Club of Ft. Walton Beach, mentoring school children, bingo calling at nursing homes and being Santa for children.  He served as Kiwanis President, was Kiwanis Lt. Governor for his district and chosen Kiwanian of the Year for 1992-93.  He was passionate about sharing his love for his Savior Jesus Christ and especially enjoyed leading the Beachside Emmaus Cluster for 11 1/2 years, singing in his church choir, and serving in various positions for the Ft. Walton Beach First United Methodist Church Administrative Board.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Robinett Spivey, to whom he was happily married for 66 years; children, Rob Spivey (Kay) of Montgomery, AL, Diana Bishop of Pensacola, FL, and MIchael Spivey of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Brittany Uher (Brandon) of Pensacola, FL, Dakota Bishop of Costa Rica, Janet Leigh Guynn (Matt) of Auburn, AL, David Spivey of Millbrook, AL, Kaylee Spivey and Kira Spivey of Atlanta GA; great grandchildren, Aidan Pittman, Wallace Guynn, Wells Guynn and Willow Jane Parker; brother, Joe Lawrence Spivey (Joan) of Waco, TX; sister-n-law, Marilyn Spivey of Dallas, TX; extended family members, Vern Head of Ozark, AL and Emily Parker of Millbrook, AL as well as many loved nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivers Patterson Spivey and Rose Ella Spivey; brothers, Curtis Spivey, Eugene Spivey (Latrelle), Robert Lee Spivey, Garland Spivey (Iris), Virgil Spivey (Juanita), Ivers Patterson Spivey, Jr.(Ethel); sisters, Geraldine Lewis, Ethel Edwards, Lou Etta Coates (Staton), and Ruby Wheeler (Arley).

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach on December 13, 2018, from 10:00 -11:00 AM.  The 11:00 funeral service, officiated by Reverend Jim Ross and Reverend Dave Barkalow of First United Methodist Church Ft. Walton Beach will be followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.  Pallbearers are David Spivey, Vern Head, Matt Guynn, Tony Higdon, Brandon Uher and Doug Henderson.  Honorary pallbearers are Joe Spivey, Bill Spivey, Dakota Bishop, Lee Cook, Joe Robinett, Jerry Stone, Mickey Englett, Beachside Emmaus Cluster, FWB First United Methodist Choir, and Ft. Walton Beach Kiwanis Club. Interment will be Friday, December 14, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 103 First Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548.

The family is incredibly grateful for the Emerald Coast Hospice employees and all of the dedicated caregivers who spent countless hours giving THE COLONEL steadfast attention and loving care. The family will always be thankful for the outstanding dedication of Brandy Barnes, Kathryn Mash, Keyousha HInes, Cherise Brown and Tracy Cotton.