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Roy Calvin Spencer

January 26, 2019
Kalamazoo, MI

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Roy Calvin Spencer Jr. "Calvin" passed away unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon, January 26, 2019 at the age of 62. Calvin was born on November 6, 1956 to Roy C. "R.C." and Katie Innis (Bleavings) Spencer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, he graduated from Kalamazoo Loy Norrix High School in 1974. Shortly after graduating high school, Calvin met his soulmate Ellen Elizabeth Collins. They later wed on March 7, 1977 and their blessed union created a daughter Khalilah Vonn Spencer, and son Roy Calvin Spencer, III. While working full-time, Calvin graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Political Science in 1989. Upon graduating, Calvin decided that he wanted to be a police officer, and with the support and encouragement of his wife, he attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College Police Academy. After graduating, he first served as a deputy at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department and then he transferred to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) in 1992. In 2011, after twenty years in law enforcement, Calvin retired from KDPS as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division. Still, he grew restless and took on several jobs, most recently serving as a bus driver for Kalamazoo RESA Head Start. Calvin's hobbies included softball, basketball, running and reading. More importantly, Calvin stayed active in the community throughout his life by serving as a volunteer and board member of numerous organizations, most notably: Parchment and Northside Little League; Black Police Officers Association (BPOA); Northside Association for Education Achievement (NAEA); and Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Calvin was also a member of Galilee Baptist Church and served in the transportation ministry. Calvin was preceded in death by his beloved parents R.C. and Katie; dear mother-in-law Gerry Collins; his sisters Kathuryn and Mary; special niece Kemba Collins; and special cousin Floyd Glass, Jr. To forever cherish his memory, Calvin leaves behind his soulmate and wife, Ellen Spencer; his beloved daughter and son, Khalilah Spencer of West Bloomfield, MI and Roy Calvin Spencer III "Boomer" (Courtney) of Flowerfield Township, MI; and his precious grandchildren, Vincent, Aeris, Evelynn and Iliana. Calvin is also survived by his beloved brother and sister, Michael Spencer of Kalamazoo, MI and Freda Spencer of South Bend, IN; and dear sisters-in-law, Roberta Collins-Angba and April Collins and brother-in-law, Edwin Collins, all of Kalamazoo, MI. He is also survived by ten nephews and one niece, Khari, James, Cheia, Michael, Kenneth, Curtis, Marcus, Bobby, Tuzhi, Emmanuel and Ang, and a host of great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins and friends. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, 269-343-1508. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, service details, tribute wall, guestbook and condolences.