Joseph Clyde "Joe" Spain, 73, formerly of Minot, died Thursday, October 26, 2017 in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Joe was born on August 4, 1944 at Minot, North Dakota to Clyde and Margaret (O 'Meara) Spain. He was raised and educated at Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1962. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1962 and was honorably discharged on August 25, 1965.

Joe returned to North Dakota and was united in marriage to Marilyn Hermanson on June 14, 1969 at New Town, ND. They made Minot their home, where Joe was employed with Souris River Telephone in Minot and Towner until 1975. He then joined the family business and owned and operated, with his brother Jim, Spain's Transfer while they resided in New Town and then Stanley before moving back to Minot in 2005. In 2004, he began employment with Magnum Transportation as an independent owner-operator until his retirement in 2009. For the past several years he had resided in Arizona during the winter months and at Lake Audubon during the summer months.

Joe was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot and was a former member of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stanley.

Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, story-telling, laughing and spending time with his grandchildren.

His loving family includes his wife of 48 years, Marilyn; children: Tammy (Shane) Marmon, Minot and Kelly (George) Crawley, Bismarck; 6 grandchildren: Sheldon and Sydney Marmon, Heaven, Makayla and George Crawley and Justin Fisher; siblings: Dianne (Robert) Chirpich, Plymouth, MN, Susan (Doug) Kjos, Minot and John (Michelle) Spain, Castle Rock, CO; sister in law, Margaret Spain of Lake Audubon, ND and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his loving family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim, nephew Danny Chirpich, and in-laws: James "Ollie" and Justine Hermanson.

Mass of Christian Burial : Friday, November 3, 2017 at11:00 a.m. in St John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Prayer Service: Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home.

Visitation: Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.