Jack Kenneth Spence Jr.

Jack was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1942, in Chattanooga. He was a man of great strength and great faith in the Lord and was truly an inspiration to his family and friends.

He was a 1962 graduate of Chattanooga High School where he played on the golf team for 4 years and was the captain for 2 years. He also ran track and cross country. Jack loved working with his son, Jim playing sports in school and coached him in baseball, basketball, and football when he was younger. He was active in all youth sports in Lookout Valley. He could be seen many days in his little 74 VW beetle headed for the ballfield taking a load of boys who needed a ride to practice and games. He has had many young boys now grown come up to him to say thank you for the time and effort he put into the Lookout Valley baseball program. He also enjoyed spending numerous hours watching his daughter, Diane practice baton twirling to prepare for national competitions throughout the years.

Jack worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He worked at Central Soya and Kohring-Southern during his younger years, and later retired from TVA and the City of Chattanooga.

He will always be remembered for his strength, his love of family, telling great stories from his past, his great generosity, and his endless energy. His nickname was the “Energizer Bunny”. Golf was his passion. He caddied at the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club as a young boy and loved watching grandchildren play as junior golfers and in college. He supported his kids and grandkids in whatever endeavor they chose to pursue as he loved them dearly. He was so excited to be a great grandfather when Henry and Hannah came along.

He had one of the biggest caring hearts on earth and loved the Lord dearly. His favorite bible verse was psalms 23: 1-6 as he quoted it from memory many times at our family get togethers. He and his wife attended Stuart Heights Baptist Church Hixson Campus.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty Spence, and his parents, Jack K. Spence, Sr. and Lena May Spence, brother Jerry Spence, and sister Sandra Shelton.

Survivors include his two children, Diane (Todd) Cothran of Soddy Daisy, and Jim (Tonya) Spence of Chattanooga; 6 grandchildren, Kyle (Emily) Cothran of Hixson, Ashley (Michael) Hickey of Soddy Daisy, Haley (Dr. Josh Lawson) Lawson of Hixson, Alex Spence of Chattanooga, Hailey Colburn of Chattanooga, and Matthew Colburn of Chattanooga; 2 great grandchildren, Henry Thomas Cothran and Hannah Kate Lawson; sister, Sue Bradley, of Rossville, Georgia, and sister-in-law Wilma (Johnny) Martin, of Chattanooga, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral services will be private and the Reverend Terry Mitchell will be presiding.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, link below.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist and Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com