James Hugh Spence III

July 22, 1928 - February 5, 2020

James H. Spence died peacefully at his family home in Herald Harbor on February 5th. He was born July 22, 1928 in Staunton, Virginia and was raised by his grandparents on their family farm in Doe Hill, Virginia. He later joined his mother, Nell Beverage, in Washington, DC. At the waterfront community of Herald Harbor in Anne Arundel County, he would meet his future wife, Gloria V. Ryan, when he took the microphone to sing with the band at an evening dance. She fell immediately in love with him that night. They married and had 4 children together. His career began in the aerospace industry at Martin Marietta and then Hughes Aircraft Company. He was a contributor to the first surveyor programs. Upon retiring from aerospace he and his wife became the owners and proprietors of one of the oldest taverns in Anne Arundel County, Millhausens Tavern in Severna Park. Following retirement, Jim and Gloria became active in the Annapolis Area Intergroup. Sadly, Gloria became ill and lived her last 5 years in assisted living, with Jim by her side each and every day until her death. James is survived by his four children; Valerie S. Crawford, Kimberly Spence, Kevin Spence, James H Spence III, and nine grandchildren and give great grandchildren.