Frank Lamberton Spicer III

Frank was in the first graduating class from Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri. Frank served in the United States Army in the 18th Engineer Brigade with most of that time spent in Vietnam. He was always proud of his service even though it is what affected his life the most. 

Frank wanted to help bring awareness to the effects of PTSD and hopefully a better understanding to get help if needed. It was something very passionate for Frank, hoping to help others not go through what he experienced. 

After retirement he started having flashbacks of Vietnam. Even though he was in the Engineer group building roads they spent most of their time in the battle areas. He was on a bridge that was blown up where he suffered shrapnel in his legs. They strapped him to a gurney outside of the helicopter to evacuate - and that was shot down and landed in the river. He spent several minutes underwater before being rescued. There were also a couple of close calls at the base in Fort Leonard Wood. The flashbacks led to extreme PTSD & anxiety issues that haunted him for years. He went for four years without spending a night away from home, and could hear a helicopter or military plane coming long before anyone else. Rolling thunder was the worst. To him it was like laying in the bunkers at night with all the fighting going on, and wondering if you would survive the night or not.  

With his strength and the support of some very good people he was able to finally start to manage and live his life. You just never knew when and what the next trigger would be. When anything happened, especially a tragedy with children, he always prayed they would get help to manage the trauma they would probably face in the future. If you’re one of those people, please reach out.  

Frank is survived by his wife Kathy of the home; daughters April Dickens and David, Bolivar, Missouri and Tonia Welcome and Brett, Springfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Mandi Crites and Ryan, Nicole Roberts and Adam all of Bolivar, Dante Welcome and Jenna St Louis, Missouri, Nino Welcome Springfield Missouri, and Claudia Welcome and Brendan of Plano, Texas; four great grandchildren, Hoyt and Holden Crites, Carter and Everlee Roberts, all of Bolivar, Missouri; two very special friends Bud and Beverly Ripple of Ozark, Missouri; and a host of other treasured family and friends that he cared for deeply. 

A memorial celebration will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. A committal service with full military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. 

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers may be made to Fallen Patriots at fallenpatriots.org.