Jimmie Leroy Spencer

Jimmie Leroy Spencer, age 90, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on May 2, 1935, in Iola, Kansas, the son of Elvin Robert and Alma Elizabeth (Jones) Spencer. Jimmie attended school in Welda, Kansas, and graduated with the Class of 1953 from Welda High.

Jimmie married Lucretia Crotts on February 7, 1958, in Georgia, before Jimmie was deployed to Germany with the US Army, and Lou accompanied him. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Rhonda, Brenda, and Sandra. Jimmie trained quarter horses for cutting, and his work took them throughout Kansas and Oklahoma before they settled on the farm near Welda, Kansas. After several years of marriage, they divorced. Jimmie was united in marriage to Susie Sanders on October 4, 2004.

Jimmie was heavily involved in the cutting horse community, both on a personal level and as a mentor to several high school students and non-pro competitors. Along with multiple championships in the Kansas Cutting Horse Association, Cutting Horse Association of Nebraska, and Western States Cutting Horse Association, he also had Top 10 and Top 20 World Championship finishes. Along with his success, his students were successful at the state and national cutting competitions. Jimmie trained cutting horses in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arizona.

Jimmie was honored as a Kansas Cutting Legend in 2005. He was interviewed by Ernie Rodina on the RFD TV Better Horses show, highlighted in Quarter Horse News, and was a known celebrity in the quarter horse world. He won the Legends of Kansas cutting riding Sanjo Sweet n Low with a score of 77.

Jimmie deeply loved his family and always enjoyed spending time during the holidays, birthdays, and family events. He was an avid hunter, taking several hunting trips to Colorado and other states to enjoy nature and take a trophy deer or elk. There was not a time that Jimmie did not want to be on a horse and working cattle. Jimmie also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and having great discussions about their performances, no matter the outcome of the game.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Clifford Spencer and Dale Spencer; sister, Ann Harrison.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Susie Spencer, of the home; three daughters, Rhonda McDonnell and husband, Mike of Emporia, Kansas, Brenda Hubler and husband, Dale of Garnett, Kansas, Sandra Bach and husband, Gary of Topeka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Josh Hubler, Amy Blaufuss, Justin McDonnell, Jerrica Preeo, Jamie Murray, Chris Blaufuss, and Taylor Bach; fifteen great-grandchildren; bonus son, Mike Sanders and wife, Alicia of Pratt, Kansas and bonus grandchildren, Victoria McFarland, Allison DeClue, Chris Sanders; 3 great- grandchildren; brother, Wayne Spencer of Irving, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Garnett. Burial will follow at Welda Cemetery, Welda, Kansas. Jimmie's family will greet friends on Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.