Wayne R. Spencer

Wayne Richard Spencer, 69, passed away peacefully Friday, August 12, 2016 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.
Wayne was born in Cheyenne on February 5, 1947 to Cecil Earl Spencer and Kathleen Mavis (Miller) Spencer.
He attended Henderson Elementary, Carey Junior High, and graduated from Cheyenne East High School in 1966 before continuing his education at Valley City State Teacher’s College in North Dakota on a football scholarship, then later at the University of Wyoming.
As a youth, Wayne participated in Little League baseball, Boy Scouts of America, the Woodmen of the World Square Dancing exhibition group, and rode and raced motorcycles with the Cheyenne Knight’s Motorcycle club. He excelled in track and field as well as football in Junior High and High School.
Mr. Spencer is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gaynelle (McGinnis); son, Jason Earl Spencer; brother, Rick E. Spencer (Diane); grandchildren, Mercedes Michaels (Jeff Hazlip) and Dylan; a great-grandson expected in September; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia; as well as a world of people, colleagues, and friends who are poorer for his parting.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susan Kay Scheschi; brother-in-law, Norbert “Doc” Scheschi; sister-in-law, Sheryl J. Spencer (Huffer); and nephew, Jamie S. Scheschi.
Wayne was a member of the Cheyenne Police Department for 25 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant, and worked in the Patrol, Traffic, and Detective Divisions. Sgt. Spencer attended the Wyoming State Police Academy in Douglas, Wyoming, and the F.B.I. Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He and his wife Gaynelle also owned and operated the Snack Shack restaurant for several years.
After his retirement from the Police Department, Wayne was active in the production of various rodeo and livestock events including the Hell on Wheels Rodeo and several sanctioned rodeos and bull riding events in the Rocky Mountain region. Wayne announced countless rodeo events as the arena announcer or giving the ride by ride commentary over the radio at such events as Cheyenne Frontier Days, Denver Stock Show, and the National Finals Rodeo. He also announced various events at the Laramie County Fair, where he was instrumental in introducing the popular “Mutton Busting” event. He was currently employed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and was a member of the Reorganized Latter Day Saints Church and active in the MS society.
Most recently Wayne was producing his own rodeo reporting show on bbs.com/rodeoradio, and was business manager along with his brother Rick “Spence” Spencer for “The Clear Creek Medicine Show & Olde’ Tyme Radio Hour”, a troupe of local musicians and performers.
Cremation has taken place and services will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 3:00 p.m., in the Cheyenne Frontier Days exhibition building at Frontier Park. Western hats and boots are welcomed.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, individuals donate instead to the charity of their choice.