Fredrick Jay Spencer's Obituary
Fredrick Jay Spencer, 79, passed away peacefully at home on May 4, 2024, from the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born in Spanish Fork, Utah to Henry Mert Spencer and Ora Lillian Crawford Lombardi Spencer on April 26, 1945. Fred attended Spanish Fork High School and Brigham Young University. From 1964-1966 Fred served a mission to Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was transformative, and he talked about it for the rest of his life. He married Sharon Gardner on August 31, 1967, in the Salt Lake Temple. Following graduation from BYU in 1969, he and Sharon moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they were blessed with a daughter, Kimberly Jo. Fred was highly creative and put it to good use as he pursued a career in advertising. His favorite account was the Cincinnati Reds baseball team in 1973 when they won the World Series.
Due to Sharon’s declining health, they moved back to Utah so she could be close to family. Through the difficult years of her illness, Fred provided incredible loving care for her. This also prepared him for many future opportunities to serve others throughout his life. Sharon passed away December 30, 1980, in Salt Lake City.
In April 1982, Fred met Linda Naser Rickenbach on a blind date, and things went well. They were married November 11, 1983, in the Salt Lake Temple. She brought Raquel, Craig, and Candice to the Spencer family. On March 11, 1985, a baby boy, Brian Jay, joined the family. Unfortunately, he was born with congestive heart failure and died October 15, 1985. This was devastating to the family, but Fred took it particularly hard, having also lost his first wife.
In 2009, Fred chose to pursue a new vocation and became a certified chaplain, working with hospice patients and their families. This was the perfect segway into his retirement, allowing him to accomplish a life-long dream of helping others. He was a fabulous chaplain, bringing joy and consolation to many at very tender times.
Fred was also a wonderful ballroom dancer and loved teaching his grandchildren and others to dance, but none of the family had his moves. He was simply good to the core. Some of his greatest attributes were: wonderful husband, father and grandfather; always showing kindness, integrity, honesty, generosity, and trust; being meticulous in all that he did. A good friend said, “You just can’t describe all the goodness in that kind man!”
Fred stayed a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the time he promised his Grandma Crawford at the age of 11 that he would serve a mission. He had many
opportunities to serve, including Counselor to four Bishops, High Councilman in four High Councils, and as Bishop. He and Linda served a service mission in the Addiction Recovery Program, bringing them both much joy.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, siblings (20 of them), first wife, Sharon, and son, Brian. He is survived by his wife, Linda, children: Kimberly Jo (Todd) Richins, Raquel (Joel) Hinz, Craig (Corinne) Rickenbach, and Candice (Trent) Eyre, 19 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren with two more coming soon (Grandpa Fred will send them down with his wonderful hugs).
We would like to extend profound gratitude to Hospice for Utah for their outstanding care for Fred. His nurse, Jamie, was truly a saint and made the last few months more bearable for him. Archie, his aide, was so patient in caring for his needs. The whole team was tremendous.
Services for Fred will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing on Monday, May 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Old Mission Ward building located at 1433 East Old Mission Road in Sandy, Utah. A viewing will also be held prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
A YouTube link will be provided to view the proceedings.
https://youtube.com/live/QXcUdJDYGAs?feature=share
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