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In Memory

John Thomas Spencer - Class Of 1952

John Thomas Spencer - April 12, 2020

John “Tom” Spencer, loving husband, father of four, grandfather of twelve, and great grandfather of three passed away peacefully at his home on April 12, 2020.

Tom grew up In McCook, Nebraska. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School for eight years and graduated from McCook High School in 1952. He received an Associate’s degree of Arts from McCook College in 1954, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 1959 and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1972. To put himself through college for his undergraduate degrees he did various jobs including working in the cattle sale barns, unloading sides of beef from rail cars and driving semi-tractor trailers. He would work a semester and then attend school for a semester.

Tom had a long career in banking as a bank examiner, serving as the President of a new bank in Douglas, Wyoming, working at various banks in Nebraska, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado as an agricultural loan officer and eventually starting his own bank examining firm, Financial Review Services. Outside his work life, he was an active member at Nativity of Our Lord church, singing in the church choir, and serving on parish council.

Tom was introduced to the love of his life, Sharon Wetovick, because they both loved horses and were graduates from the University of Nebraska. They married in 1964 and raised four children, Matt, Tricia, Joel and Greg in Broomfield, Colorado.

Tom was a gifted athlete. He ran track and played basketball and football in high school. He played football at McCook College as an offensive guard. Tom’s grandfather introduced him to baseball. Tom loved the sport and was a talented player. He was a home run hitting switch hitter and could play any position but excelled as an outfielder. He received a scholarship to the University of Wyoming for baseball, played in semi-pro leagues, and was given the opportunity to try out for the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team. He taught many to play the game of baseball and was a very successful little league coach in Nebraska.

Tom also enjoyed trains and airplanes. He took flying lessons and soloed in a Cessna 150 in 1961.

Tom’s first love, however, was horses. Throughout his life, he rode, trained and raised quarter and paint horses. He taught his kids to ride and show horses and spent many hours with them participating in horse shows in Colorado.

Tom enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and perform in plays and concerts and attended as many as he could.

Tom loved to talk to everyone; he had many friends. As a young man, he was quite the practical joker and pulled off many pranks such as putting a cow in the school library, handcuffing newlyweds to a fire hydrant on Main Street, putting limburger cheese on the groom’s car exhaust manifold, and sending a bride off on a train while leaving the groom a “compromised” car to go pick her up at the next stop.

Tom was an avid reader, having read many books particularly western themed books as well as books about history, politics and the world. Tom enjoyed having meals with family and friends. He especially liked trying different foods and different restaurants.

Tom is most remembered for his big heart and his sense of humor. He loved God, his family and friends. He would offer assistance and help to anyone. Tom would talk to anyone about horses, planes, flying, ranching, farming, finances, food, and politics. His family sought him out for his wise council and advice. He lived to take care of his family and he did. Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon, daughter Tricia Fankell and husband Don, son Greg and wife Meleah, son Joel and wife Jill, son Matt and wife Cara, grandchildren Doug and wife Robin, Jacquie, Mandi and husband Keith, Joel, Brenna, Vicki, Adeline, Justin, Jared, Olivia, Bethany and LiYan; great grandchildren Mary, Gemma and Nate.