Admiring words continue to be spoken about depth and breadth of church service give by the Rev. Dr. James Edward Spivey who died April 12, 2008, at age 96.

Recent Synod and Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation meetings included time to remember his service at all levels of the church. Since his ordination in 1936, to his multiple post-retirement positions, Spivey truly served world-wide.

His 25 years as a pastor included three in Snyder, TX; seven in Denison, TX and 15 years at Bartlesville, OK, ending in 1961. He served as presbytery executive in St. Louis, MO; and synod executive in Oregon. In 1972 the United Presbyterian Foundation of the General Assembly called him as its executive. Following his 1978 retirement he served 10 years as a volunteer staff member for the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation and as a regional representative for what became the PC(USA) Foundation.

Spivey was born and buried in Jacksboro, TX. He married Lucy Cruse in 1937. Survivors include their daughters Carol Ann Spivey Pierce of Virginia and Susan Elizabeth Spivey Penrod, Mission Presbytery staff member in San Antonio, TX.

The following is the full obituary as submitted to the Synod of the Sun.

Editor's note: In retirement, James Spivey served the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation, strengthening Presbyterian connections and raising funds for Presbyterian ministry. The foundation recognized his support in 2002.

James Edward Spivey was born on August 12, 1911 in Jacksboro, Texas, the son of Hugh and Ada McClure Spivey. He received his public school education in Jacksboro, graduating in 1929 from High School as valedictorian in his class. He was received under care as a candidate for the ministry by Fort Worth Presbytery in September of that year and immediately entered Trinity University from which he graduated summa cum laude in 1933. In 1936 he received his theological degree from Princeton Theological seminary and was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church by Abilene Presbytery in July of that year.

He and Lucy Cruse were united in marriage on June 7, 1937, and are the parents of two daughters, Carol Spivey Pierce and Susan Spivey Penrod.

He has served the following churches: Student pastor at New Egypt and cream Ridge, New Jersey 1934-1936; pastor of First Church Snyder, Texas, 1936-1939, Denison, Texas, 1939-1946 and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1946-1961. From 1961 to 1969 he was Executive of the Presbytery of Saint Louis and from 1969 to 1972 was Executive of the Synod of Oregon.In 1972 he was called to become Along with the above responsibilities he had the opportunity to serve in many areas. In Texas he was stated clerk in both Presbytery and Synod and directed the North Texas Youth Conference three years. In Oklahoma he was Synod Moderator and chairman of the Synod Committee on Higher Education. In this latter capacity he led in the program to strengthen the ties of Tulsa University and the College (now University) of the Ozarks to the Presbyterian Church. Partly in recognition of this the College of the Ozarks granted a Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1953 and Tulsa an LLD in 1969. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America in recognition of his leadership throughout the years.

At the General Assembly level he served on the Board of Foreign Missions and as Chairman of the Committee of Nine to study Field Services and their relation to the judicatories of the church. This report was adopted by the Assembly in 1956 and determined the work of the Field Service Commission. In 1959 he was invited by the Synod of North India to give the Bible lectures at their annual meeting and in connection with the visit to spend several weeks visiting the work of the church in India. The Bartlesville Church made it possible for Mrs. Spivey to accompany him and they were able not only to spend time in India but to visit fields in most countries around the world where the Presbyterian Church is active. He was later commissioned by the national church to study urban work in Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 1956 he was invited to write the Bible study book for national Presbyterian Women and this study of Ephesians, entitled The Way and the Wayfarer was used in this country and through a translation into Spanish in Latin America as well.

Upon retirement in 1978 he began what he called his second career, in voluntary service. For approximately ten years he served as a volunteer member of the staff of the Synod of the Sun, working with the Synod Foundation and as a regional representative of the national Foundation. When a full time person was called to this position he began an eight year period as volunteer Chaplain for the not-for profit program of Ann's Haven Hospice. When Ann's Haven was able to employ a person he led in the formation of the Presbyterian Aid's Care Team for which he and Lucy served as coordinators.

When asked what were the poignant memories that caused each of his various position to stand out in his memory he responded:

Snyder — It was the introduction of the Vacation Bible School program. After one year the other churches of the community joined in, using the buildings of four denominations and serving 300 children in the small community.

Denison — It was the cooperative work of he various pastors in developing many cooperative programs of service and worship. The various service clubs of the community entered into the spirit and participated as units in many of the programs.

Bartlesville — It was the job of having his congregation colonize a new congregation in a growing area of the city. One hundred and eighty of their members joined in organizing Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church and First Church was able to give them a choice building site plus $25,000 toward their first structure. The church rapidly grew and before long numbered 1100 members. At the same time, First Church gained back the number of members it gave up in just over a year.

St. Louis — It was the sharing of enthusiasm by the Presbytery and other religious groups in seeking to right the injustices which led to racial upheaval during the inner-city riot years. Through Protestant, Catholic and Jewish efforts with the city officials and community racial leaders avenues of communication were opened and progress was made. The Presbytery demonstrated its concern by chartering a plane and taking the ministers to join in Martin Luther King's march to Montgomery.

Oregon — Working with leaders to carry out the restructure which led to the organization of the Synod of the Pacific. The Synod of Oregon and three other Synods entered the merger and all of the executives volunteered to seek new positions so as to avoid any suggestion of competition for the new job.

Foundation — The challenge of taking the position at the time the denomination consolidated the endowment and the invested funds of all boards and agencies under the Foundation. It was a time to demonstrate that the purpose of the Foundation was to serve the mission of the church, not merely to gather and hold resources. This became clear when within a few years it was seen that annual income from the Foundation provided more money for mission than the churches contributed in any given year.

Retirement — Christian vocation is not a matter of church position, but the call to service wherever we are.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Mission Presbytery for scholarships for those pursuing Christian vocations. Mission Presbytery, 7201 Broadway, #303, San Antonio, TX 78209-3774.

James Spivey is survived by his daughters Carol Ann Spivey Pierce and husband Russell L. Pierce of Falls Church VA; Susan Elizabeth Spivey Penrod and husband Michael R. Penrod of San Antonio, TX; sister Margaret Prescott of Jacksboro, TX; brother Carl Nelson Spivey of Georgetown, TX; grandson James R. Pierce of Charlottesville, VA, wife Erika and daughter Elaina; grandson Sean M. Penrod of Sumter SC, wife Angela and daughter Caroline; and grandson Luke E. Penrod of Lancaster, CA.

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