Larry L. Spencer

Larry L. Spencer, 79, of Sullivan, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Saint James, Missouri.

 Larry Lee Spencer was born June 19, 1945, in Kansas City, Kansas.  Growing up in the small town of Peculiar, Missouri, Larry graduated from the local high school in 1963.  His commitment to his country was evident, enlisting in the United States Navy in 1963.  Larry served with honor during the Vietnam War, dedicating his time aboard the USS Coral Sea and the USS Whitfield County as a boiler maintenance technician.  Upon returning to civilian life, Larry settled back into the Peculiar community where he began a career as an electrician. 

 In 1986, Larry moved to Sullivan, Missouri, to help his former pastor from Peculiar establish Praise Temple Church here.  In 1989 Larry met and married Doris (Huff) Pendergrass, making their home in St. Clair, Missouri, for the next 26 years. 

Larry’s heart of service to the Lord was evident in his dedication to his church, Praise Temple, where he not only attended worship services but also put his maintenance skills to use by remodeling the entire building along with his pastor in 1999.  His generosity and willingness to help knew no bounds, and he was always the first to offer a helping hand to family, friends, and strangers, many of whom became friends.  His professional path was diverse, with roles in construction, mechanic work, and general maintenance as well as being a mail carrier in Washington, Missouri.  His skillful abilities earned him the nickname “1-800-Larry” among his friends and church community.

 Together, Larry and Doris shared a passion for travel.  Their road trips and RV travels took them many places across the United States with Arizona holding a special place in their hearts.  They were blessed to be able to sell their home in Saint Clair and travel full time in “The Dirty Bird”, their last and most beloved RV, when Doris retired in 2015.  Besides volunteering as campground hosts at six different Missouri State Parks, they traveled many interesting places and made many wonderful, dear friends.  Larry’s love for his grandchildren was immense, and he found joy in life’s simple pleasures like playing card and board games as well as going out to eat with family and friends.

 In 2020, Larry and Doris made their final home in Sullivan, Missouri, but never lost their sense of adventure, traveling to Texas for the winter months and continuing to embrace the open road.

 He is survived by his devoted wife, Doris Spencer of Sullivan, Missouri; two step children, Joe Pendergrass and wife Stacy of Sullivan, Missouri, and Susan Wells and husband Nicholas of Saint Louis, Missouri; five beloved grandchildren: Anna Pendergrass, Nathaniel Wells, Alexander Wells, Anderson Pendergrass, and Adalyn Pendergrass; and his beloved nephew Fred Birkett and wife Melissa & their three children of Peculiar, Missouri.  

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Geneva Spencer, his twin sister Leona Birkett, his half siblings, and step siblings.   

Funeral service will be at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Eaton Funeral Home with Pastor Stacy Pendergrass officiating. 

Visitation will be 9:30 - 11:30 AM, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Eaton Funeral Home prior to the funeral service. 

Interment will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Waynesville, Missouri.

Friends may send their online condolences to Larry’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com 

All arrangements are under the care and direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.