Howard Thomas Spencer Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Thomas Spencer Jr. who lost his brief but fierce battle with aggressive brain cancer on January 31, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 77. 

Known by many names to many people in his life – Tom, Junior, Dad, Papa, Pops, Howard – he always had a joke up his sleeve, would outplay you at cards (even if he cheated a little), and could be found cheering on the Braves, Yellow Jackets, Jayhawks, and Chiefs (McIntosh or Kansas City).

Born in Concordia, Kansas, on March 21, 1947, to Howard Sr. and Celia V. Spencer, Howard spent his childhood years in Clyde, Kansas. Following high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War, where he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals for his service. After being honorably discharged from service and the reserves, he became a partner in a company contracted to lay fiber optic cable in parts of Texas. This experience led Howard to enroll in the School of Business and Technology at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. He later obtained licensure as a CPA and went on to work as an auditor for the IRS.

He would eventually reconnect with the love of his life, Melba Robichaux, a Cajun beauty whom he chased to Rayne, Louisiana, and married on August 14, 1981. While Howard always loved fishing, Melba was indeed his best catch. Howard and Melba began their life together in Youngsville, Louisiana, where they had their two daughters. After 5 years, they moved around several times for Howard’s job. Ultimately, they settled in Peachtree City, Georgia, where they built their house and raised their girls while Howard worked as a U.S. Customs Broker. In 2001, Howard was awarded The Commissioner’s Award before he retired to private accounting practice and subsequently to being “Papa.”  In his retirement, he enjoyed predicting which stock would next make him rich and working on his “shape” - one bowl of vanilla ice cream at a time. Melba and Howard resided in their same home in Peachtree City for 33 years until Howard fell sick in the fall of 2024.

Howard is survived by his wife of 43 years, Melba; children, Nicole (Tim Purtill) and Meagan (John Barbee); four grandchildren (JJ, Miles, Ethan, and Isla); sister, Susan; nieces, Cori and Dawn; and numerous cousins from coast to coast. In Howard’s memory, contributions can be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent his final days at inpatient hospice. The family is being assisted by Leaf Cremation of Georgia, and a small private interment is planned for March 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. 

We invite you to contribute photos, memories, and stories to his Veteran’s Legacy Memorial page.