Donald Martin Spencer

He was born in Wichita, KS on December 23, 1943 to Howard M. and Laura Elaine (Adrian) Spencer.

Don graduated high school in Wichita and went to Pittsburg State University earning a B.S. in Business. He was a proud member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity, and always rooted for his Gorillas.

He had a fiercely patriotic love for his country, serving in the Kansas National Guard during the Vietnam Conflict.

He married the love of his life, Janice, on April 16, 1966 and they started what would become Don’s next great love – a family. He supported his family through a successful career in sales and management, which began at Proctor and Gamble, traveling and calling on grocery stores and trading salesman’s samples with colleagues from other companies out of the trunks of their cars. Turs out you could barter peanut butter and potato chips for cereal and other things three growing boys needed. The pinnacle of his career was serving as a National Sales Director for Unilever Corporation. One of his first jobs in high school was a Good Humor Ice Cream man, and he ironically ended up helping run the Breyer’s/Good Humor Ice Cream division of Unilever several decades later.

Despite the extensive travel that was required of him throughout his career, Don always made time for his family, church, coaching little league, and leading his sons’ Indian Guide tribe. He also knew the heavily guarded recipe for building a winning Pinewood Derby Car. He was active in his church, Northminister Presbyterian, in Kansas City, Missouri. He served as a lay minister, eventually earning ordination. He was also at one time or another a Deacon, an Elder, Sunday School leader, and would eagerly volunteer for any task or committee regardless of the time commitment.

Don’s enduring legacy is one of putting others first, loving his friends, and setting an incredible example for all of us to try to follow. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend that anyone could ask for. If you were fortunate enough to know him, then you were likely to call him a friend. To him, this meant for life. He was loving, happy, and generous; always willing to help, offer a hug or a shoulder, or just laugh with you. If you were at his house, at the end of the day, no matter how joyous or difficult, there was always ice cream.

Don is survived by his wife, Janice Gay (Hughey) Spencer, of the home, and sons Dr. Jeffery D. (Cheryl) Spencer of Kansas City, MO, Stephen W. (Pamela) Spencer of Grain Valley, MO and Robb A. (Tammy) Spencer of Cypress, TX. He is further survived by his sister, Katheryn E. (Randel) McDonald of Overland Park, KS and Brothers Gerald L. (Patricia) Spencer of Shawnee, KS and Thomas E. (Toni) Spencer of Overland Park, KS. He was also bless with numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 6th from 4:00-7:00 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1441 NE Englewood Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118. Funeral service will be Friday, October 7th at 10:00 am and will also be held at the church. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to either Northminster Presbyterian Church or United Way.