Timothy TJ Spain

Hi. I am sorry to learn about TJ. I knew him at Lenoir rhyne in 94-95. He was a kind, sweet soul. He had a lovely singing voice too. Now, He is singing w the angels.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of TJ. We were in German class together at LR and I too became a teacher. This past autumn I was very fortunate to catch up with him during a reunion at LR. I feel so honored to have known him and his infectious laughter. He was so much fun. I pray that wonderful memories will ease the aching hearts of his family, friends, and students. All my love,

Tim: So sorry to hear about the loss of your son. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting T.J., he sounds like he was a remarkable young man and left his mark with many. It has been a long time since your time at Grinnell Mutual, I still fondly remember you.

Very sad to hear of Tims passing!There was never a moment he didn't make me laugh.We talked about music and the fact he loved the mountains.He loved taking pictures and was very proud of the ones he did make.I will miss him he and I had planned to take a road trip to Gatlinburg one day but sadly we never got the chance.He was a wonderful person and made my time knowing him even better..There is a hole here with me that won't be filled till I get to see him again.

Thank you for your caring about kids in Burke County School. No greater profession for serving and loving kids. Thank you for teaching my grandson Landon several years ago. May God bless this dear family and give you Peace and Comfort that only he can give.

Bev, Tim and Megan,

Things that I remember about your precious son and brother: His laugh and fun-loving attitude AND heavy involvement with everything that he was involved in. I saw this in band.... in swim team... and he was SO SMART. I'm just so sorry for your sudden loss. The fact that he taught high school: I just see him being an AWESOME and CONNECTED teacher. Imparting his knowledge in a way that engaged the students and truly connecting with them.

My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Bev & Tim & Megan, You've been in our thoughts a lot this past week. TJ was one of the smartest people I know, and I know he will be greatly missed. Know that we are thinking of you. -Emily & Andy

TO OUR SON

You were already gone when we let you go.
That you would die young, we did not know.
In God's hands, you were held,
A gentle boy, a wonderful man, He did meld.
Your influence over us was deeply felt.
Your laugh, your jokes, your passion they melt
The most stubbornness could not resist
That infectious smile, that intellectual gift.
Now you have returned to Him Who gifted you to us.
May you rest in peace, our dear sweet son and remember this;
We loved you from before day one and will love you now forever on.

Love, Mom

Tim, Bev, and Megan,

Your family is on my heart and mind.

This is such a random memory, but I have such fun memories of playing in your playroom on Middle Road. You used to have this rug that was laid out like a city with roads on it. I remember drinking Capri Suns and driving Lego cars around the "city" on the rug. I also loved reconnecting with TJ at Marc's wedding in South Carolina and was so happy to introduce my husband to TJ.

My deepest condolences ~ I pray that God will grant you the strength during this very difficult time.

Love,
Ellen (Ruby) Rager

Tim, Bev, and Megan, We are so sorry for the sudden loss of your precious T.J. Our thoughts have been with you since we heard the news at Our Savior on Sunday-praying that God will give you His peace and that the many wonderful memories will give you comfort. We have so many fond memories of TJ in youth group and his years in high school-his intelligence, kindness, and his ever willingness to participate in any activity. He always had a big infectious smile for all he met. So hard to realize that he is gone from this life, but his memory lives on in our hearts as he has gone on to his Heavenly Home. He will be fondly remembered! Sincerely, Ron and Julaine Duimstra

So sorry to hear of your loss. We remember TJ as that special young man at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marshalltown who was eager to help with anything. Prayers are with you Tim, Bev and Megan.

I am so sorry to learn of Tim's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I met Tim as a participant in workshops and classes at ASU. He will be missed. He added so much to conversations and discussions. Tim had a unique way of thinking and expressing his thoughts on mathematics. He added so much to any group he became part of over the years.

We in the Appalachian State Mathematical Sciences Department are so saddened by Tim's passing. Those of us who worked with him as a student in our master's program found him to be an exceptional student, teacher, and all around great human being.

As his advisor, I could not have asked for a stronger, more dedicated student. He accepted every challenge like a gift and always was hungry for more knowledge - especially ideas that he could use to make his own students' understanding better.

He will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Tim's family and friends.

-Dr. Holly Hirst
Math Graduate Program
Appalachian State University

Tim was a student in three of my classes while working on his masters degree at App. He was a great student. I was always amazed at how he balanced graduate school with his teaching job and seemed to excel at both. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.

Praying for the family

Dear Tim, Bev, and Megan,
May you find comfort in the wonderful memories of TJ and celebration of his life. I offer prayers and God's comforting presence to be with you. May you be blessed with peace, faith, hope and love and embraced in the arms of our Lord and Savior. With deep, heart-felt sympathy for your loss. Your friends at Faith Lutheran Church, Jayne Nirschl & family

I met Tim when I began my masters in math program at App in the fall of 2015. He and I had grad statistics together, and I met with him at Barnes & Noble in Hickory to work on some problems near the beginning of the semester. It amazed me that he could do these very difficult classes basically on his own. He showed me how to do the problems without making me feel like I was an idiot. He was always humble and respectful that way. We then had Real Analysis together last semester and this semester he was in my Combinatorics class. Tim, as others have said, was bright and funny and knew a lot about many subjects. You could just tell he was a great teacher and I'm sure his students will miss him greatly as they try to finish out their year without him. I am so sorry for you loss.

Tim, Bev, and Megan.
We are sorry for your profound loss. Though we knew "TJ" only in his boyhood when all of you were members of Our Savior Lutheran in Marshalltown, we still remember his impressive personality. He was one to pose hard questions to his pastor and Church School teachers. May God's comforting promises of love and everlasting grace in Christ give you support in your sorrow. Pastor Allan and Iris.

I was so sorry to read of TJ's passing. I really enjoyed having him in my 4th grade class at Anson.

Beg and Tim,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your son, TJ. I worked and was friends with Bev during your time in Marshalltown but lost touch with her after you moved to Cedar Rapids. TJ sounds like a very special person who made a difference in many people's lives. I'm sorry his time here on Earth was so short! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

As so many have already shared, TJ always welcomed you with a bright smile, keen intellect, and a hearty laugh. He truly knew no strangers and it was easy to feel at home in his presence. I studied German with TJ at LR and shared his love for language, travel and a good craft brew. My heart goes out to all those he leaves behind, especially his family. Many thanks to Megan for keeping TJ's LR family updated during these sad times. Ich werde TJ sehr vermissen! Prost TJ!

Dear Tim, Bev, and Megan,

I was so sorry to read in the TR this morning about your loss of TJ. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

Judy Jurgensen
Shady Oaks
Marshalltown, IA

As with many, I met TJ at LR...he was one of my favorites because he never had a bad day....at least I never saw one. He had a terrific smile and personality that would light any room and his laugh was so catching...you could not help but be happy. Our last conversation was about his love for teaching and just catching up with one another. As his RD in Price Village at LR...you get to know your students so well...they are not just students but family. My heart is so broken over the loss of this lovely person, as I know yours is, but Heaven gained a wonderful Angel. They should prepare for their sides to be splitting from the laughter they will endure for eternity. May God rest his hands on the hearts of his family and friends to bring some peace to this sudden loss of our earthly friend. With all the love and respect that could possibly be given to another.

Dear, sweet, Tim--truly a Renaissance man--math, German, music, literature--he was a blessing to know and joy to teach with. We started teaching the same year, and I can't imagine not having him pop into my room to talk about what he's reading or just to chat. Godspeed my friend. I look forward to seeing you again.

Tim was a very special person, a great teacher, and a good friend. He will be greatly missed! Much love and prayers for your family!!

My condolences to Tim's family. He touched many lives. He had a family at Lenoir Rhyne, and not just among those of his fraternity. He was truly a good guy who was always willing to discuss anything. Just know he will be missed, but not forgotten. YITB my brother

Tim and Bev, so sorry to hear of your loss. Time will ease the pain, but never the memories. It so bad to lose a child, but one so young is even worse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you. javascript:select_gift(34, true, 15);

I thank God that my family and I have had the privilege of knowing TJ since the 1980's in Muscatine, IA. He touched so many in his too-short life (the stories I'm hearing about and reading are amazing and bear witness to his widespread positive influence!) Tim, Bev, and Megan, I grieve with you. May you find comfort knowing how happy TJ lived his life... and now how content he must be in the arms of our Savior. My love and sympathy are never ending.

TJ and I were the low brass trouble makers of the band at LR. He even came to visit me after the birth of my daughter. I couldn't ask for a more loving, loyal friend. The world's a bit dimmer without your light.

I am saddened to hear that such a wonderful light is gone. He was my German teacher at East Burke. I was in his first class and learned that teachers could be fun, humorous and passionate about teaching. He coached Science Olympiad and tried to help any student that came to him. He was awesome and he will be missed.

Sorry for the loss of Mr. Spain. I had the privelege of teaching with him at East Burke High School. Prayers for the family!

So sorry for the families loss!!
It saddens my husband and I, we both were in his class in high school.
Always laughing and cutting up. He was an AWESOME teacher!
Will truly be missed =,(

Tim was a blessing to everyone who had the privilege of getting to know him. He taught at East Burke when I was a student there and was a fraternity brother of mine at Lenoir-Rhyne.

His infectious, fun-loving personality will be missed, but Tim's legacy will be that of a successful educator of our youth. He was a special person.