James M. Spencer

Oct. 14, 1940 – April 14, 2022

James Milton Spencer was born in Indianapolis on Oct. 14, 1940 to Ralph D. and Modessa V. Spencer.  He grew up in Sheridan, Indiana where he graduated from high school and married the love of his life, Sharon Sue Padgett in 1958.

Mr. Spencer then earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Physical Education at Indiana State, followed by his Master’s degree in American History at Purdue.  He taught and coached at Darlington, Coal Creek Central, Northridge Middle School and North Montgomery High School for thirty-five years except for brief interludes in which he served as the Social Studies Consultant for the Indiana Department of Education in Indianapolis, as well as spending a year at Purdue University as their first Master-teacher-in-residence.

Following his retirement from public schools, Mr. Spencer became the founding Headmaster of Covenant Christian High School on the west-side of Indianapolis.  During his ten years there, they were able to build a state-of-the-art building as well as being accredited by the State of Indiana and the Association of Christian Schools International.  He was most pleased that in 2003, Christianity Today Magazine named Covenant the best private Christian school to work at in the nation.

Most of Mr. Spencer’s summers as a school teacher were spent doing carpenter work, the highlight of which was working with his two sons to build their retirement home.  Much of his retirement time was spent in his workshop building furniture for family and friends.  He always had a love-affair with wood and has planted trees wherever they have lived.

Mr. Spencer also served as the founding pastor of Harvest Fellowship as well as interim pastor of a number of area churches.  He spent over thirty years teaching Bible studies whenever and wherever he could as he was fascinated with the good news of the Gospel.

Survivors include his wife, Sue; children Steve (Julie) Spencer, Patti (Rick) Ehrhardt, Jill (John) Maxwell and Brad (Bethany) Spencer; eleven grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 22 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Burkhart Funeral Home, 201 West Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.  Burial is scheduled for Sat., April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Spencer Cemetery, W 46th (N 1200 E) Sheridan, IN 46069. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to be held Sat, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Harvest Fellowship Church, 1618 West 500 South, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.

Send donations to either: Covenant Christian High School, 7525 West 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46214 or Harvest Fellowship, 1618 West 500 South, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.