James E. "Jim" Spencer, 93 of Springfield passed away Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 1:10 pm in Cox Hospital South.

He was born July 21, 1925 in Concordia, Kansas to Ernest and Lillie Belle Spencer.

Jim reached the rank of TEC 5 in the US Army, serving as a cryptographer on the island of Guam.  He said he was asked to send only one message: "The War is Over!"

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Lasnier, on February 10, 1945.  Their 67 year marriage grew to seven daughters, 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren with two on the way. Jim supported his family by working for The Burroughs Corp for 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his wife and two infant sons.

Funeral Mass will be Friday, December 7, 2018 at 10 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with The Reverend Tom Kiefer celebrant under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Burial with full military honors will be at 1 pm at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 5-7 pm in the funeral home with a Prayer Service at 7 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 3555 S. Fremont Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65804.