James Spencer Obituary

Spencer
James Calvin
Spencer
March 2, 1943
November 27, 2024
James was born to William G. Spencer and Irene (Harlow) Spencer who were married in St. Louis, MO in 1940. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Kirkwood, MO where Jim was born in 1943. Irene traveled by car and train to Texas and California with her infant son Jim to visit Bill before he was shipped overseas during WWII. Upon Bill's return, the family opened Spencer's Grill, and during Jim's early years they lived above the then 24-hour restaurant, which catered to travelers and truckers on the original Route 66.
Jim attended the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma and enrolled in the ROTC program, later entering the USAF as an officer. He was eventually stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. There he met Susan King, who was visiting her parents who were also stationed in Wiesbaden. According to all accounts by those present, it was love at first sight. Jim and Susan dated throughout that summer, and Susan returned to Germany the following year where they were married in 1970.
Jim ended his Air Force career outside Boston, MA, and took a job in Houston, TX where he and Susan had two children, Stephanie and Ryan, born in 1974 and 1976. After falling in love with the mountains of Colorado, they moved the family to Colorado Springs, CO in 1982. Susan went back to school to become a kindergarten teacher and Jim, not ready to retire, found a new career which would afford him holidays and summers free to spend time with his family: he became a school bus driver for District 20, the same which employed Susan.
Jim was devout in his faith and committed to the church; ushering, counting the offerings and attending Bible study, where he delighted in serving others breakfast. Throughout his own medical challenges and near-death experiences, he never lost faith. When Susan was diagnosed with Parkinson's, he took on the role of caretaker and kept her engaged with friends, family, and fellowship until she succumbed to the disease in April 2024, shortly after their 54th wedding anniversary. It was with this same compassion he treated everyone for whom he cared. His often quiet and calm exterior harbored a sly and dry wit; he loved to laugh and joke.
Active and independent at 81 years old, he was a constant and cherished presence in his church. Although still mourning the loss of Susan, he enjoyed seeing friends and family, watching Formula One racing, and the Denver Broncos. On his way to visit his children and grandson in Parker, CO for Thanksgiving, he was killed in a car accident. While the end of his life was tragic and sudden, we all remember the grace with which he lived and the love and joy he carried in his heart. He is now reunited with his beloved wife Susan. To those of us here, he will be greatly missed until we meet again.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Spencer) Saunders and his son-in-law Steve Saunders, his grandson, Christopher Saunders of Parker, CO, his son Ryan Spencer and daughter-in-law Lena Valencia of Brooklyn, NY.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11am at St. George's Anglican Church, 217 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO.
Memorial gifts can be made to:
Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, 855-401-4897
and
St. George's Anglican Church Fund, 217 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, (719) 434-3364