Thomas R. Spettel Sr.

SPETTEL, Thomas R., Sr., age 83, of Kettering, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. He was born on May 1, 1936 to Ralph and Helen (Conley) Spettel in Dayton, Ohio. Tom attended Van Buren Twp schools and graduated from Fairmont High School. He attended Sinclair Community College, Miami University and Wright State University.

Tom has been married to Judith (Stein) for 60 years and together they have three children; Tom, Jr. (Barb), Karen (David Byrne), Jeffrey (Kim); one grandson, Matthew Thomas Byrne; cousin, Judy McDougal; sister-in-law, Mildred Spettel; numerous nieces and nephews.

He has served as Deacon and Elder at Southminster Presbyterian Church.

Tom was a Professional Land Surveyor who worked for a consulting firm and the City of Kettering Engineering Department, where he was in charge of the Survey Section until his retirement in 1994.

Tom served in the U.S. Army in the 997th Engineer Battalion and the 297th Engineer Co.

In the Boy Scout program he has served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, District Training Chair, District Vice Chairman, Council Training Chair, Council Vice President Program and Council Vice President of Properties. Tom has served on the Area Committee and the Regional Board. He is the recipient of the District Award of Merit in 1978, the Silver Beaver Award in 1980, and the Silver Antelope award in New Orleans in 2002.

Tom was an active member of Grand Lodge F & A.M. of Ohio Far Hills Lodge No. 784. He was raised a Master Mason on December 6, 1965 in George L. Marshall (now Far Hills Lodge) where he served as Master Mason in 1992. He is a member of Victory Chapter 210 R.A.M. and served as High Priest. Member of Reese Council No. 9 Royal and Select Masons and served as Illustrious Master. Tom served as Commander in Reed Commandry No. 6 K.T. He is a member of the Valley of Dayton A.A.S.R., where he serves on the Candidates Aide Committee. He has also served as President of the Dayton York Rite Council. In 2002 he received the Knight York Cross of Honor, in Marietta, Ohio. In 2004 he received the 33° in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had been serving as Captain General in Reed Commandry and Treasurer in Reese Council R&S.M.

Tom was also a volunteer firefighter for the city of Kettering from 1959-1961.

Preceded in death by parents and brother, James Spettel.

A Funeral Service with military honors and Masonic Services will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, February 26 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd, Kettering, with a visitation beginning at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Cincinnati, 3229 Burnet Ave #3018, Cincinnati, OH 45229.