James I. Spainhower

Dr. James I. Spainhower, age 90, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Foxwood Springs Living Center. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the Raymore Christian Church, 500 Peace Dr., Raymore, Missouri 64083. A Memorial Service will be held immediately following at 11:00 a.m. The youngest of fourteen children, he was born in Stanberry, Missouri on August 3, 1928, to Elmer and Stella Cox Spainhower. Upon graduation from Maryville High School, he attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where he received a BA in History. He also received a BA in Divinity, a Master's in Political Science and a PhD in Political Science. James was awarded numerous honorary doctorates from colleges and universities across the country. On June 10, 1950, he married Joanne Steanson of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Once ordained he began his ministry in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In Missouri he had pastorates in Marshall, Bosworth, Mendon, Grand Pass, and Oakland. In 1963 he entered the realm of politics and was elected State Representative of Saline County, a seat he held until 1970. In 1972, he was elected Missouri State Treasurer and elected to a second term in 1976. Following his tenure as State Treasurer, he was President of the School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri and later at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri, as well as President of the Division of Higher Education for the Disciples of Christ denomination. James is preceded in death by his mother and father, Elmer and Stella Spainhower; and eleven siblings: Hazel Waldo, Marjorie Hagey, Clarence Spainhower, Garnett Williams, Herbert Spainhower, Mary Ruth Spainhower, William Wayne "Jack" Spainhower, E.E. Spainhower, Annie Margaret Spainhower, John Spainhower and Alice Olson. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Joanne Spainhower; two children Janet Martin (Ron) and Jeff Spainhower (Anne-Marie), three grandchildren, Katharyn and Tyler Martin, and Theckla Spainhower; and two sisters, Charlotte Allen and Esther Dean, along with numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Fellowship of John at Foxwood Springs (foxwoodsprings.org), Heartland Hospice (heartlandhospicefund.org) or The Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org). Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278.