John "Martey" Spencer

John "Martey" Spencer February 12, 1969 – November 7, 2025 John "Martey" Spencer, age 56, of Brookfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, at 1:01 a.m., surrounded by his loving family - seven heartbeats joined in prayer - after a courageous 94-day battle with muscle invasive bladder cancer. Martey faced his illness with incredible strength and unwavering faith, never losing the spark that made him so deeply loved by everyone who knew him. Born February 12, 1969, in Marceline, Missouri, to John and Juanita Spencer, Martey grew up in Brookfield in a home filled with love, laughter, and family traditions that shaped his life. As the middle child between two sisters, he was the one to make everyone laugh - mischievous, fearless, and full of charm. His grin was contagious, and his stories legendary - many of which still make everyone laugh today. Martey was proud to call Brookfield home for all 56 years of his life. He was a 1987 graduate of Brookfield High School. He embodied small-town values - hard work, loyalty, and heart. Martey had a lot of friends and was wise beyond his years. To know Martey, was, without question, to love him. His energy drew people in, and once you met him, you were a friend for life. Even the hospital staff who cared for him said there was something extraordinary about Martey - a light that touched everyone he encountered. Curious and creative from a young age, Martey had a gift for understanding how things worked and bringing them to life with his own two hands. As a child, he had an eye for learning what made things tick. He absorbed everything he saw. He listened and learned as his dad taught him about working on old cars and how things went together. That talent became a cornerstone of his life and career. At just 22 years old, he joined Local 101 in Kansas City, Missouri, beginning with nothing more than a hand shovel and working his way up to become a heavy-equipment and crane operator through grit and determination. Over the course of his career with Local 101, he worked in several areas around Kansas City and St. Joseph, operating cranes, and constructing buildings and bridges. Some of his proudest accomplishments were helping build the Grand River bridge, the Locust Creek Covered Bridge and the Liberty Hospital - projects he often spoke of with pride. He later owned and operated Spencer Plumbing & Contracting, where his craftsmanship and creativity continued to shine. Eventually, he found his true calling on the railroad, working as a conductor for BNSF Railway for over 20 years. His coworkers became more than colleagues - they became brothers. The bonds formed along those rails were family to him, built through hard work, long days, and shared laughter. Martey was a devoted father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend. He was also a devoted husband for 30 years and took great pride in his family. His greatest joys were his children, Maverick Spencer and Megan Spencer. He was proud beyond words that both of his
children have graduated college. Martey beamed with pride when Maverick began working for BNSF Railroad, following in his father's footsteps - a reflection of the strong work ethic Martey instilled in him. He was equally proud of Megan's successful real-estate career, always sharing little tips and tricks from his own experience inspecting homes. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping both of his adult children establish homes of their own - remodeling Megan's first house with his own hands and celebrating the purchase of Maverick's first home in Brookfield, which laid the stepping stones for his later real estate accomplishments. He found peace in the outdoors and joy in his craftsmanship, especially in building his deer cabin on his 20-acre property - a rustic hideaway that he custom designed himself, complete with electricity, heat, and a stove. It became a gathering place for family and friends - a space filled with stories, laughter, and love. If those walls could talk, their tales would echo forever. In recent years, Martey experienced a season of true personal renewal. Life's twists and turns deepened his faith, softened his heart, and centered his spirit. Those who loved him most could see the change - he became grounded, prayerful, and at peace. He spent more time in Scripture and less time in worry, trusting God's plan even when it wasn't easy. His faith became his anchor, his Bible his guide, and his life a quiet testimony to grace and transformation. Martey had a heart of gold and a personality that could light up any room. He never met a stranger and always left people smiling. His storytelling was legendary, his humor unmatched, and his love for family unwavering. He worked hard, loved deeply, and lived fully - lifting others even when life was heavy. He is survived by his son Maverick Spencer of Brookfield, Missouri; his daughter Megan Spencer of Warrensburg, Missouri; his parents John and Juanita Spencer of Marceline Missouri; his sister Angie Parrish and husband Ron of Warsaw, Missouri; his sister Melissa Moehle of Grain Valley, Missouri and her husband Vince of Oak Grove, Missouri; his honorary sister and beloved cousin Dottie Spencer of Linneus, Missouri; his former wife Michelle Spencer of Brookfield, Missouri; along with many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his infant granddaughter, Mecalynn Spencer, who was born into Heaven; his maternal grandparents Clifton and Lucille Quigley of Browning, Missouri; and paternal grandparents Ray and Verona Spencer of Browning, Missouri and other cherished family members who have surely welcomed him home with open arms.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at Wright Funeral Home in Brookfield, Missouri, on Friday, November 21, 2025. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service starting at 1:00 p.m., with burial to follow at Parklawn Cemetery, located in Brookfield, Missouri. Please join the family and friends for a dinner at Park Baptist Church following the services.
Memorial contributions to the family payable to Megan Spencer may be left at or mailed to Wright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496 Brookfield, MO 64628.
His family finds comfort in the message of Faith Over Fear and in the scripture Psalm 56:3 - "When I am afraid, I will trust in You." Martey was 56, and verse 3 represents Martey, Maverick, and Megan - a divine reminder that this verse was heaven-sent and woven perfectly into his life's tapestry. It brings the family comfort knowing that Martey is now wrapped in God's loving arms and surrounded with dearly missed family members and friends. We don't say goodbye to Martey - instead, we simply say see you later, because we know we will all be reunited again in Heaven one day. Martey was a legend who will never be forgotten. In honor of Martey's memory, please remember to live with the same courage, laughter, and kindness he shared so freely with others.