Richard Glen Spencer

Richard G. Spencer, 74, was called to the Lord’s round up crew after passing away at the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM on January 22, 202121. The last of seven children, Richard was born on December 31, 1946 to his loving parents Roy and Mabel Spencer at their home in Mountainair New Mexico. His days would end as they began, running and chasing cows all over Torrance County, never hesitating to help a neighbor, or offer a prayer to someone in need. Graduating from Mountainair High School in 1964, Richard set out to make his fortune in Alaska, but only made it as far as California before the events of the world would lead him to enlist in the US Army in 1967. Serving in intelligence, Richard spent two years in Germany before the inevitable call came to serve in Vietnam. A chance meeting with a beautiful hippy girl he met while visiting a friend in Las Cruces before he shipped out, not only kept his spirits alive during his tour of duty, but would blossom into a whirlwind romance spanning 50 years. That beautiful girl was Bonnie Ellen Yocom. Sweeping her up after returning home from the war, the pair would marry in 1970, setting out on their half century long adventure. Together they would climb mountains both physically and metaphorically, raise three children, start a farm, a successful feed business, and establish the Spencer Land & Cattle Company here in Mountainair. Their love never subsiding, Richard was infatuated with his wife from the moment he first saw her to his last. A man dedicated to others, Richard’s service to his country did not stop with his military career. After graduating from New Mexico State University in 1974 with a range management degree, he made his love and passion for the land a profession . Working first for the Bureau of Land Management and then with Natural Resource Conservation Service, he helped countless Ranchers and Farmers around this region in developing and executing plans to prevent damage to the land while making it more sustainable and productive for future generations. It was a strongly held belief by Richard that we are stewards of this land and it is our duty to not merely preserve it, but conserve it so that it can thrive and grow. That same attitude of fostering growth is also how he approached his faith in God. A deeply devout Christian, Richard genuinely wanted nothing more than to lead others to the joy he found in Jesus Christ. He shared the good news as much and as often as he could whether that was serving as a Sunday School Teacher, filling in to give a sermon, leading a worship service, or giving a reassuring word on the side of the street. Richard became so well known as a man of faith throughout the community that he was often asked to speak at funeral services laying to rest so many of his friends, family, and colleagues. Richard’s message never wavered though as he’d bring a message of hope to many in their darkest time. In the later years of his life he would start the Remnant Ministry, a local weekly radio program professing the joys of the Lord to thousands each week. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Roy and and Mable Spencer, siblings Barbara Foster, Dixie Jo Spencer, Verna Whitehead, Patsy Allen, and Roy (Sonny) Spencer. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Spencer, their children Roy G Spencer III, Shannon Spencer, John Spencer, his sister Helen Spivey, his grandchildren Shelly Matehuala, Janessa Spencer, Amanda Sleep, Roy James Spencer, Abigail Sleep, Allison Sleep, Katilyn Spencer, Madison Spencer, Jake Spencer, and lastly his great granddaughter Alexandria Matehuala. The life of Richard Spencer will be commemorated with a graveside service at the Spencer Eastview Cemetery on Friday, February 5th at 1:00 pm, with viewing available at 12pm.