Norman F Sponcey

Sergeant Major Norman F. Sponcey

On May 10, 2019 he died peacefully at home at the age of 90. He was born in 1928 to Alferie and Minnie Sponcey and raised in Putnam, CT.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1947 which had always been his dream. He participated in the Korean Conflict; fought with Fox Company at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir suffering a serious bayonet wound in man to man combat; and he served three tours in Vietnam. Among the many distinguished recognitions received were three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts. He served 25 years in the Marine Corps retiring as Sergeant Major. He enjoyed participating in the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program working every year since it began in 1947. He loved the Marine Corps to the end and lived life to the fullest.

In addition to his Military recognitions, Sponcey also enjoyed golf and handball in his younger years winning many trophies. He also received an award for donating a total of 18 gallons of blood to the San Diego Blood Bank over the years he lived in Southern California.

In 1949 he married Eunice Etheridge, the mother of his five children. In 1970 he married Cleo Brewer, mother of his five step-children, making a blended family of 12 residing in southern California. After retiring from 17 years working for the city of Vista, CA, he and Cleo moved to Sierra Vista, AZ in 1988.

In 2004 he married the former Gayle Fisher. They loved traveling and visited 32 countries and made annual trips to Oahu. They would have celebrated 15 years of marriage this month. He attended Shiloh Christian Ministries in Sierra Vista.

Sergeant Major is survived by four of his children – Rebecca Klepper, Jeff Sponcey, Bruce Sponcey, Kathy Serrano; seven step-children – Stephanie Henne, Jamie Aldridge, Glen Aldridge, Suzanne Garcia, Kelly White, Jason Fisher, Matthew Fisher, and their families. Sponcey had a total of 85 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alferie and Minnie Sponcey, two spouses Eunice Etheridge and Cleo Brewer, and three brothers – Camille, Maurice, and Donald Sponcey; a son Wayne Sponcey, and step-son David Aldridge.

Funeral will be held at Jensen’s Sierra Vista Mortuary on May 16, 2019 with viewing at 10:00 am followed by a service at 11:00 am with Marine Corps League Chaplain Rich Richards officiating.

A reception and light lunch will be served on the same day at 12:30 pm at Vista View Resort, where Sgt. Major lived, in the Clubhouse at 526 S. Clubhouse Lane, Sierra Vista.

Military Honors will be held on May 20, 2019, 11:00 am at the VA Cemetery Chapel in Sierra Vista.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sergeant Major Norman Sponcey to Marine Corps League, Thunder Mountain Detachment #1283 or Soreo Hospice of Tucson.

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