Janice Spain Fox

FORT WORTH -- Janice "Jan" Spain Fox, 70, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at University Baptist Church, 2720 Wabash Ave., Fort Worth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation in Jan's name be made to Cook Children's Medical Center, PICU, Fort Worth.

Jan entered this world in 1944 in Fort Worth, the second of three children, born to Jack and Mamie Spain. She attended Paschal High School, graduated in 1962 and later attended Arlington State College, now the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1969, Jan began her career at Texas Christian University, initially as a temporary employee. Her work ethic and attention to detail soon impressed her first supervisor, Dr. Saul Sells, director of the Institute for Behavioral Research, and she was asked to become a full-time employee. After working for 14 years at IBR at positions of ever-increasing importance, Jan was asked to take the position of director of research and sponsored projects for TCU, a position she held until her retirement in 2008. For 24 years, Jan was key in assisting faculty in all of the schools at TCU obtain research funding for various projects, studies and programs that helped to make the university known as a premier research institution. Jan also served in various roles throughout the years with national and regional chapters of NCURA, the National Council of University Research Administrators.

Despite being devoted to her work at TCU, Jan kept her primary focus on two things: her love for her savior, Jesus Christ, and her love for her son, Joel. Jan was active at University Baptist Church and built many strong friendships over her 34 years of membership there. She was also fond of spending time with Joel and his wife and three daughters. Her granddaughters, Sydney, Madelaine and Jaelyn, were truly the lights of her life.

It can be said that Jan fought the good fight, ran the good race and completed the task that the Lord gave to her: the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. She loved deeply and was committed to her friendships. In return, she was much loved by those who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Jan was preceded in death by her father and mother; and a granddaughter, Jordan.

Survivors: Son, Joel and wife Kimberly, her three granddaughters; her sister, Teresa; her brother, Jackie and wife, Caren; many nieces and nephews; and her earthly angel and best friend, Sally Harris.