JOE ED SPENCER

Eldorado ? Joe Ed Spencer, 74, was welcomed into the presence of his Savior and King, Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 31, 2008. A service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Eldorado, TX on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd at 11:00 a.m. Locally, family and friends will gather to celebrate his life in a memorial service at the Lighthouse Church of Burleson on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Joe Ed is preceded in death by both parents, and two sisters. He leaves a great legacy for his wife, Carolyn; daughter Carla Cockerham and her husband Bret; son John Spencer and his wife Marci, and eight grandchildren: Joseph, Carrie, Jenny, Jacob, Keet, Jesse, Megan and Annie. He is also survived by his brother, Claude Spencer of Eldorado. Joe Ed was born March 28, 1934 in San Angelo, Texas to Edgar and Jake (Ashmore) Spencer. As a boy, he attended the one-room Bailey Ranch Schoolhouse, and graduated from Eldorado High. He earned a bachelor's degree from Sul Ross State College and an MBA from Texas AandM University. His career in education began on the faculty and as Dean of Men at Sul Ross, and continued at the newly established Tarrant County Junior College, where he eventually retired as Vice Chancellor of Financial Services in August 2000. In his professional career, Joe Ed was a member of numerous business organizations, committees and boards. He was also a charter member of the Burleson chapter of Rotary International and was a Paul Harris Fellow. In retirement, Joe Ed was happiest tending livestock on his ranch in west Texas and watching the grandchildren play or work with him. Those who have spent any amount of time with Joe Ed would agree that his faith, integrity and contagious sense of humor defined him. He was the same at home, work, church, and in the community. Service to others was a natural part of his life, and he expressed that in a myriad of ways. Whether pushing a grandchild in the backyard swing, helping a neighbor mend a fence, encouraging an employee to achieve promotion, or collecting the Sunday morning offering, Joe Ed was the epitome of selflessness. He was a man who started every day with coffee and his Bible, and was faithful to the work of his church. He was a great storyteller, and hardly missed an opportunity to tell a joke or play a harmless prank. His departure from this life was much too soon, but our hope remains in the One who will one day welcome us to the Reunion. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be sent to the Covenant Classical School Tuition Assistance Fund, 126 N. Judd St., Ft. Worth, 76108. In addition, the family asks those who knew Joe Ed to send memories, wishes, stories or photos to joeed@earthlink.net so that we can compile a memory book for the grandchildren

September 1, 2008
Don Newbury
A classic Christian friend whose credo was giving. His life was a book of service to others.

September 1, 2008
Joe Rushing
I shall always remember Joe Ed with great respect and admiration. His unflappable,often solemn,demeanor hid a wry sense of humor. Common sense and wisdom was his trademarks.