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JOE TALLEY Born December 28, 1923 to James Hilliard Spence and Bertha Cordell Spence in Grenada, Mississippi, near Oxford. His parents, his brothers James and Aaron, his first wife Clare Van Atta Oehmka and second wife Charlotte Alta Stearns Reid Spence, preceded Joe in death. He is survived by his wife Noel Mauldin Spence and his children and step-children, John Cordell Spence, Erle Hamilton Reid and wife Jacquie, Anne Reid Almquist and husband Paul, Charlotte Dale Reid, Bruce Edward Reid and wife Cheryl, Greg Mauldin, and Forrest Mauldin; also by twelve step-grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren also survive him. Joe graduated from Albuquerque High School and briefly attended University of New Mexico. He joined the US Navy during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, most often on the Island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides as a Materials Specialist. On his return to New Mexico at the end of the war he used his GI Bill privileges to complete his degree at the University of New Mexico. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation he worked for Korber's Hardware traveling the state of New Mexico including the 19 Indian pueblos. He then worked for Pickett and VanLandingham Insurance Agency as a broker. He subsequently joined Charles Williams, one of his fraternity brothers, as a partner-broker in Star Realty. In 1971 Joe founded Mesa Verde Resources and became a pioneer and stalwart of the humate industry. Joe was a true visionary in this respect as the industry was new and very few people knew about humates or humic acid products. By the time of his passing the industry had grown many-fold and become vibrant and strong, at least partially due to Joe's efforts. Joe was the epitome of the entrepreneur and was successful in all that he did in the business world through hard work, persistence and inventiveness. He is fondly remembered in his community and in the industry that he worked so hard to build. He was a loving father to children and step-children alike, and was a devoted son to Bertha throughout her long life. Joe died on February 3, 2012. Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of the life of Joe Talley Spence on April 15, 2012 at St. Mark's on the Mesa Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
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