James Albert Spencer

James Albert Spencer, 82, passed away at his home in El Dorado Springs, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. Jim was born May 1, 1927, in Independence, to Fred and Ada (Long) Spencer. He was the youngest of six children.

He married his wife of 55 years, Myrtle Irene Shaw, on April 1, 1955, in El Dorado Springs. They had one child, Gerald Gordon Spencer.

In 1945, at the age of 17, Jim joined the Navy and served three years in WWII and then in 1950 served three years in the Korean War. After the war he worked for the El Dorado Springs City Electric Company for several years before moving his family to Riverside, CA, in 1957. There, he was a member of the Operating Engineering Union and worked as a diesel mechanic on heavy equipment and later as a supervisor.

In 1980 they moved back to El Dorado Springs and Jim worked at Barrington and Producers Grain before retiring in 2003.
Jim and his wife were members of the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ where he served as an Elder of the Church. Jim was an active member of the church and community of El Dorado Springs. He was also a member of the VFW.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ada; his son, Gerald; two sisters, Lorene Davis and Mary Lou Long; two brothers, Edward and Edwin Spencer; two brothers-in-law, John Davis and Andy Long; and two sisters-in-law, Clara Spencer and Lorene Spencer.

Survivors include: his wife, Myrtle; one brother, Carroll Lee Spencer, and his wife, Evelyn - Rantoul, KS; his brother-in-law, Myrle Shaw, and sister-in-law, Pat Shaw - Harwood, and a host of nephews and nieces. Jim will be sorely missed by his church family, relatives, friends and neighbors.

Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ with David Studer officiating. Interment
followed in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were - Richard Eason, Marvin Hensley, Lonnie Long, Gerald Matthews, Darrell Matthews and Ray Spencer. Honorary pallbearers were - Carroll Lee Spencer, Steven Spencer, Jerry Groom, Charlie Sumner, Richard Warstler, Bud Eason and Mike Hill.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fair Haven Children’s Home and sent to Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.