KAY LYNN DAWSON SPENCE

KAY LYNN DAWSON SPENCE

8/23/56 – 5/4/2023

Kay was the youngest of six children  She lived her entire life in Oklahoma City.  When she got her first German Shepherd puppy, Sasha Lee, in the mid-eighties, she soon began obedience training.  They soon began placing at the top of their class so frequently, she ran out of room for the ribbons.  The next step was leading obedience training, where she soon realized her passion in life.  Search and rescue became the new focus in the mid-nineties, where she co-founded Pathfinders Search and Rescue.  She continued to excel in this new discipline and along with her dogs began teaching at local schools, area police canine units and other professional trainers in the OKC area.   After 17 years of dedicated dog work, thousands of lives were touched by their encounters with Kay, her dogs and Pathfinders Search and Rescue. 

In 2010, Kay married the love of her life – Billy Wayne Spence.  Together they attended St. James Episcopal Church, where they thrived as they grew strong in their faith.  They were frequently called “pillars of the church.”  Billy preceded Kay in death.  After the loss of Billy, Kay continued her work and worship in church and was instrumental in the operation of the St. James Food Pantry.  

Kay was a strong, independent, self-sufficient, creative, quirky, funny and giving woman.  She never met a stranger and was always quick to lend a hand.  Outside of working with her dogs, she loved to sit outside on her back porch watching “God’s TV”.  She definitely loved staying near home and her four legged friends.

She is survived by her five siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and 4 legged friends.