Father Spencer was my mother Billie Van Houten Runnels beloved priest.  He was also my Father Robert Runnels Jr.'s favorite.  I was born at KU Medical Center on December 16, and would visit with him when I was in his area.  
I read today that the feast day of St. Deborah is December 17.   I only mention this because I adored Father Jerry Spencer.  I would like to believe he suggested my name to my parents, or because of their love for God and for Father Spencer's influence on them. 
Favorite Memory of Father Spencer:  When I saw him in public he would hurry to me and kiss me on the lips.  My mother said he never kissed anyone on the lips, but she saw him do it once, and she was convinced that he sure did. I was visiting him at Holy Name Church one day, I am sure I was complaining to him,  when he was preparing for a Baptism.  
Father Spencer handed me a stainless steel vessel and instructed me to put the hottest water I could into the vessel from the sink in the vestibule area. 
I did as I was told, and waited until the water was steaming hot and stuck the vessel under the faucet, pouring the water all  over the outside and then inside of the vessel until it was a bit warm, and then filled the inside.  
He met me as I returned the water, in the vessel, to him.  He took it up to the Altar and blessed the Latino Family and their small dark haired Baby.  
He told me afterwards that he had never before had warm water to baptize a newborn.  We smiled at each other and I told him "Father, I just warmed the vessel first. You told me you wanted warm water"   He knew my mother was a triple major in college , and one of the majors was Biology.    
I have many favorite memories of Father Spencer, but I think he would have agreed that this was a favorite memory for him too.
My Prayer in memory of Fr. Jerry Spencer:
God Thank You for Father Jerry Spencer.  A great, but humble man, who loved dearly.  And thank you his Biological Family for Sharing him with All of Us.   Amen. 

It is always a pleasure and a blessing to have known a person whose faith, walk, and talk were always in agreement.

It has been a blessing for me and a greater Blessing for the Kansas City Area.

Thank you, for all the families that you have helped and serviced, in a way that only a person with your gifts could have.

Your work will be greatly missed.


I am forever grateful to Fr. Jerry for playing a major part in leading me back to God and to the Catholic Church. I came to realize that I really didn't have a relationship with God and I was carrying around a lot of guilt and shame from a lifetime of not being the person that God made me to be. I asked Fr. Jerry to meet with me to hear my first confession in nearly 30 years. I desperately needed God's mercy and forgiveness, but I also needed the trust and compassion of a human being who would acknowledge my past failures and still treat me with respect, dignity, and love. Fr. Jerry was my first step towards a new beginning in my faith and a new life as part of the Church. He spent an hour with me that day and I hope he knows how forever touched I am by his kindness, compassion, and his spirit.

Fr. Jerry was a friend to all. I got to know Jerry while attending KCMC and ended up playing the organ in the KUMC chapel before I knew it during my studies at the hospital. He told the best (and how shall I say the most "colorful") jokes of anyone I have known. He was frail when I lost my daughter in a car accident but was gracious enough to deliver the homily for Shealyn's service. He was a good friend, great and humble servant of God and will be sincerely missed. That said, Fr. Jerry is in a wonderful place now free of his suffering and is happy and protected with many friends in the care of the Lord. Fondly, Jeff Hayes

I had the opportunity to attend four years at Hayden High School with Jerry.  He was very astute, and always amiable.  Just his presence in a class, pushed some of us to higher levels of achievement.  He was one of a kind, and I feel grateful to have known him.

It was with great sadness that we learned of Father Spencer's passing; he was a good priest and friend.

Wonderful, blessed soul with the ability to connect with every human spirit. He was an amazing and understanding priest.

In loving memory of Fr. Jerry. We'll always remember the twinkle in your eye and your positive nature.  You were always there for our family, whether for baptism of my two godchildren or my Daughter's quinceañera mass, familiy gatherings and just as a friend in our Lord.  
May the perpetual light of God shine upon your soul. We will miss you dearly..Rest in peace Fr. Jerry.
Sonia  and Wally Wong and family

A good friend, a wonderful man, a man born to be a priest and serve others selflessly. He loved people, a good drink, reading everything and conversation with everyone. He worked tirelessly while in pain because he was too busy doing what he had to do rather than what he wanted to do. He was an inspiration to us all. RIP Fr Jerry, now in heaven with the priests and saints you were so devoted to.

In addition to his long list of services to God and his community, Father Spencer served as the Chaplain for the University of Kansas Medical Center Police Department. Jerry was a strong advocate for the first responder community and we always appreciated his presence and support. He will be missed!
Rick Johnson
Chief of KUMC Police

He was such a kind caring soul and will be truly missed by many.  May he rest in peace.

Father Spencer represented spiritual care at the University of Kansas Hospital.  I was always comforted by him coming to my patients bedside.  I knew he would help the patient, family and the staff in powerful ways.

 As a former KU med employee ,  I was greatly influenced By Father Jerry.  He always brought peace and comfort to the many patients as well as the staff we are all blessed to have known him and now he has joined  all the saints in heaven. Father Jerry may you rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus amen

Conversation requires talking and listening. As I talked with Father Jerry I learn to be still and listen. I could be totally honest with  Him about my worries and my cares. As we worked with the sick and dying employees, he would tell them, they were in good hands because I not only help them with paper work, I prayed everyday in the chapel.( Many days with him)   I am sure that God and all the angles are welcoming you to heaven . You are THE BEST PRIEST and it was my privilege knowing you as a friend and I will miss you greatly.

Rest in peace, my dear friend. Thank you for everything you taught me about being a servant of God. You will be missed by many.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Father Jerry.  He will be greatly missed by all those he served.  May he rest in peace.

We have lost a true and faithful servant. Prayers that many others will follow in his service to the sick.  Rest in Peace Father Jerry!

Your remarkable spiritual support of the Johnson County Serra Club will be sorely missed. 
My most sincere condolences to Family and friends.

Fr. Jerry was so selfless in his devotion to the sick and dying. He was a great comfort and friend  to my father and my family. Fr. Jerry was so wonderful with people and let us never forget his wonderful sense of humor. Rest in Peace. Brigid Halpin Woodbury

Best advice I ever got about life came from Fr. Jerry: "A man who does not cry is a savage; a man who does not laugh is a fool."  Thank you for all you did, good and faithful servant.

As many have written I came to meet Father Jerry in the waiting room at the KU Medical Center in 2008.  My Dad had just endured a 9 hour surgery and we were tired, upset, and concerned as the nursing staff had not called us to come back to the ICU to see him.  Father Jerry prayed with us and cheered our spirits.  He then excused himself and within minutes came back with a huge smile on his face and said "come with me".  He basically sneaked us into the ICU and told the nurses with a grin that "we were with him" and led us back to my Dad.  I will never forget his kindness, his positive spirit, and the twinkle in his eye.  He was truly a gift from God and I am so thankful for his care and compassion.  May God richly bless you Father Jerry.

Father Jerry was one of the finest people at KU that I knew. He was kind, caring, and fully invested in his duties.  I heard him give a talk at  the History of Medicine Dep't at KU just about two weeks before his death and his respect and love for those he served came through loud and clear. It was a privilege knowing him as a friend and I will miss him greatly. Thelda Kestenbaum, M.D.

Rest in peace Dear Friend. My life and the lives of many patients, their families and colleagues I cared for and about have been changed and enriched through your spiritual guidance and life teachings. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to work with you, to learn from your wisdom and to call you my friend. You were never too busy to stop and share a story, a joke ( some were pretty lame) and to "pun" whenever and wherever the opportunity arose.  You will be missed, but I rejoice in the knowledge that you no longer have limitations on your physical health and can once again be the "Eveready Energizer Bunny" for your flock.

Fr. Jerry,
What a wonderful servant of God!
 You have touched the lives of many people.
I met you as a young nurse on staff at KUMC. We have remain friends since then. You were always available to help others in need, regardless of the circumstances or time of night. 
Rest in Peace my dear friend.

Chaplain Spencer was a very caring and loved person. Always willing to help others. He will TRULY be missed, but it is a blessing to not have to endure any pain or anything else. RIP Chaplain Spencer! You have definitely been a blessing in my life and I'm sure thousands more. Prayers go out to your family and friends.

Love,
Jamie Lemons 
Security

Fr. Jerry tirelessly served the patients at the University of Kansas Hospital with much compassion. He served on the ethics committee and helped so many through trying times and decisions. When the nursing staff needed support or their spirits lifted he brought his infamous sense of humor. He was a delight. Thank you for your great service Father.

Father Spencer was a dear and caring man. He was very special to our family. In 1998 when my brother was living his last days with us, my sister and I were sitting in his hospital room at KU Med. It was 11:30 at night and Father Spencer walked in. He thought of my brother as he was giving last rights to a young motorcycle victim in the ER who had reminded him of John. He just thought he'd come up and see him. We all said a prayer together, but that act of thoughtfulness was more than we could ever imagine. I'm sure many families have similar stories as he was the most personable, unselfish and caring priest. We are all blessed to have known him!
Rest in Peace, Fr. Spencer.

Our beloved Jerry was a compassionate and loving priest. He loved to tell stories and had a great sense of humor.  I will never forget when he was in rehab after having his leg amputated, I stopped to visit on a cold thanksgiving night. I asked him if he wanted  something special that I could bring. He answered,   "Crown Royal."  I told him "I wouldn't take any responsibility if he got ill from mixing the meds with alcohol. As we were drinking our little cocktail, the nurse  walked in. We acted like high schoolers trying to hide our drinks.  God will have a special place in heaven for Jerry. He was a very special person in my life and for many others. Love you Jerry, you will be truly missed.

Father Jerry had a heart of gold. He was such an amazing man, such an inspiration. He will be greatly missed.

Fr. Jerry Spencer, truly is an authentic priestly servant of the Lord, a man of his word, and he befriended so many people in his ministry.  I will miss him dearly, he was a dear friend of mine. I admired his stamina and resiliency especially in adversity. May God grant him his priestly rewards!   I will remember him at the altar of the Lord.  Fr. Peter M. Jaramillo SSA

Fr. Jerry, will miss you very much.  You were there when my dad was at KU and you anointed Don before his open heart surgery.  Your smile and humor always lifted me up.  Also, serving with you at church was always an honor.  He was such a devoted and spiritual man and performed many duties that a lot of people were not aware of.  I knew him earier in my life and was so pleased when he came to Cure'.  God bless you Fr. Jerry.  Love,
Don & Judith Strausbaugh

Father Jerry had good humor that I enjoyed and admired at school. He taught me the importance of never  giving up! When he hurt his leg, his recovery went a lot faster  with humor and faith!

Father Spencer was a great man of God and dear friend of our family.  He married all my siblings and baptized our boys.  

I have fond memories of him coming over to my parent's house for tamales after saying Midnight Mass at Holy Name and joining in the games and fellowship.  My wife grew very close with Father Spencer and we continued to keep in touch with him over these last years.  He will be missed by us my Mom and my siblings.  But we can rejoice in knowing that he is with the Lord.

Manuel & Sharol Gutierrez and the whole Gutierrez Family

Fr. Jerry was a close, dear and beloved friend to our family for many decades.  He stood up at every wedding in our family and gave the most heartfelt eulogy for our father when he died last year.  He was truly part of our family and will be missed tremendously.

Dear Father Jerry gave so much to so many people including me. His work in his parishes and his work at KU Hospital touched many lives. 
He was faithful to all the staff at KU and was present at innumerable funerals and weddings. I will especially recall his humor and his Faith in God. I was blessed to know him as a friend and colleague. I am very sad. 
Noreen Thompson

Father Jerry, you cared and shared for all - having known you since Holy Name Grade School and Hayden High School and when I lived in Kansas City area and when you visited my husband Bob after his leg amputation, thank you and bless you in heaven with Our God.

The only time in our married life that my husband of 45 years and I ever discussed a sermon we had just heard was every Saturday evening after mass at KU Med Chapel.  They were never overlong, always presented in the historical context and with a very particular point - never missed.
His physical journey was blessed with determination.  May he rest in the peace he extended to my family.

Father Jerry was a great man. As with so many others, he guided our family in times of pain and grief. He also had a great sense of humor and was joy to be around. We enjoyed beer and jokes at the Holy Name Ice Cream Socials, and he shared a 4th of July barbecue with our family. He will deeply missed and fondly remembered. 

Jon and Judy Ferrell

May Father Jerry rest in peace! Jerry modeled for us a servant priest; he loved people. He comforted them in their suffering. He was a man of generous spirit as pastor and professional chaplain. It was my privilege to share the ministry of caring for the sick and dying with him.
He will be missed.

Father Jerry, We will miss you so much. You helped so many-rest in peace-I know God met you at the door in heaven. Becky Emley

Rest in peace, Jerry.  You have touched our lives in so many ways with weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc.  And most especially your presence at our many Thanksgiving dinners.  We love you, the Solon family

"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Enjoy the heaven that you have earned.  Father Spencer, pray for us.

Father Spencer was a familiar face around the KU Medical Center. He was there when I started and was still there when I retired 38 years later. He was a constant source of optimism and reverence.

I always enjoyed his thought provoking sermons. He will be missed. 

Father Jerry, we think of you often. You married our youngest daughter and son-in-law. You baptized and celebrated Communion and Confirmed their son, our only grandson. You celebrated her Funeral Mass and buried her body when she died at a very young age. You welcomed my wife as one of your candle lighters and ladies that handled the church linens. You were also the guiding light that brought my oldest daughter back to the Catholic Church. I will never forget you. Thank you and we love you! Joe Hernandez and Family

Father Jerry walked with me through all of the most significant moments of my life: beginning my teaching career, officiating our wedding, baptizing our three daughters, the deaths of my parents and three beloved aunts.  While he collected friends and hearts wherever he went and never met a stranger, he had the amazing ability to be truly and totally present to only you should you seek him out in times of trouble.  Old 'Holy Namers' will understand and smile when I say, "We will miss our Energizer Bunny!"

Father Jerry helped me and my family so much throughout the years.  His work in the Parish Community, at KUMC, and as a Police Chaplain for the KCKPD, guarantees his legacy will be treasured for generations to come.  Rest easy, Father Jerry, you will be greatly missed by many...

My heart is sadden to hear Father Jerry, has left us . He was one of Gods Angels here on earth. He helped me many times in my life. I loved and respected him so much .I will forever hold all the memories at Holy Name School and Church .                                      
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                             June Hudnall  Overland Park ks

Fr. Jerry,
You are so missed and loved. Thank you for all the treasured memories.

My friend and former employer of 13 years will be sadly missed.  May God reward you for your many years of giving of yourself.

I am sad to hear of the passing of my good friend and colleague Father Jerry Spencer. I happened to be in town last Tuesday and was privileged to visit him. He was alert and eager to return to his work at Cure of Ars. We have lost a very special person.

OBITUARY

Reverend Jerry L. Spencer

5 March, 1939 – 30 November, 2017

McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel

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