Roy Calvin Spencer

Roy Calvin "Calvin" Spencer Jr. 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. During his career with KDPS, Calvin received many commendations for team work, dedication of duty, work quality, assisting in cold cases and homicide investigations, and his calm demeanor in dealing with the public. In 2011, after twenty years in law enforcement, he 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 in several capacities, including as a volunteer coach for Parchment Little League where his kids participated and Northside Little League where he participated as a kid; and as a board member of the 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 he served in the transportation ministry.

Calvin was preceded in death by his beloved parents R.C. and Katie; special aunt Annie Mae Jones; dear mother-in-law Gerry Collins; sisters Kathuryn and Mary; special niece Kemba Collins; and special cousin Floyd Glass, Jr. To forever cherish his memory, Calvin leaves behind his soulmate, Ellen Spencer; beloved daughter and son, Khalilah Spencer of West Bloomfield, MI and Roy Calvin "Boomer" Spencer, III (Courtney) of Flowerfield Township, MI; and precious grandchildren, Vincent, Aeris, Evelynn and Iliana. Calvin is also survived by his dear brother and sister, Michael Spencer of Kalamazoo, MI and Freda Spencer of South Bend, IN; sisters-in-law, Roberta Collins-Angba and April Collins; and brother-in-law, Edwin Collins; and uncle Rev. John Hampton; 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.

Friends and family are invited to attend visitation on Friday, February 1st from 5-7 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 South Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A homegoing service will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at Galilee Baptist Church 1216 N. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, with family hour at noon and services beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Calvin's name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 or www.diabetes.org.