Richard Carl Spencer

Our devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at home, June 24, 2017, while surrounded by his entire family.  He chose to go home to die, rather than in the hospital, to be more comfortable, with family… and have some ice cream!  Born September 12, 1933, in Port Huron, MI to Leslie Orval Spencer and Charlotte Viola Collinge.  He grew up and attended schools in Port Huron, where he graduated from Port Huron High School.  He became a Golden Gloves boxer and was undefeated.  He enlisted in the U S Navy, and while on leave, went home and married his high school sweetheart, Carol JoAnne Carrothers, January 7, 1955.  They soon began their family, as the first child was born in Rhode Island where Richard was stationed.  He learned his life-time profession serving in the Navy, and became a Journeyman Electrician.  After moving back to Port Huron, Richard took his family to many different churches trying to find the right one.  It wasn’t long before two sister missionaries, Shirley Clark and Pat Erickson, knocked on their door.  That was life-changing for their family.  Richard eventually became Bishop of the Sarnia, Ontario Canada Ward, and they were sealed as a family for eternity, August 19, 1966, in the Salt Lake Temple, having traveled to Utah to accomplish it..  As the children grew, he and Carol made the decision to move to Utah, where they believed greater opportunities awaited their family among those of their chosen faith, so in 1973 they settled in Bountiful, Utah.

Richard had a positive zest for life, and touched the lives of all who knew him with his friendly manner and unconditional love.  He made each person feel as though they were the most important thing in his world, whether a casual meeting or a telephone call.  He was truly a wonderful man who loved God and served Him with his whole heart.  He was gracious, hard working and generous, and loved spending time with family and friends.  His entire life was spent using his time, talents and resources to make others happy!  He would go at the drop of a hat to help someone in need of electrical work, his entire life, spending hours and hours of time doing service!  In so doing, he touched the lives of hundreds with his service and generosity.

Richard is survived by his wife, Carol, and six children Todd (Janice); Bountiful, Michael (Jenine) Syracuse; Laura (Bill) Kilpack, Riverton; Robert (Jeana), Layton; Julie (Steve) Main, Spokane, WA; Doug (Liza), Draper; a sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline Joyce (Neal) Maxfield, Port Huron, MI. 33 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren;  He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Orval and Charlotte Viola Collinge Spencer, a sister and brother-in-law, Beverly Lou (Donald) Kapanka.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 1, 2017, at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the services, at the Bountiful 31st Ward, 585 E Center St, Bountiful.  A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6-8 pm at the Ward.  Burial will be at the Bountiful Cemetery, 2224 S 200 W, Bountiful, UT. 

Richard lived his life by this scripture: Mosiah 2-17: "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”