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of Chelsea, Michigan, age 65, died unexpectedly Thursday, November 11, 2021 at his home. He was born March 23, 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Raymond Vincent & Mary Rogers (Cunningham) Spencer.

Jeff graduated from St. Louis Country Day High School in St. Louis, MO, in 1974. He then went on to graduate from Carleton College, MN, and received his Master's degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Jeff worked for many years at ATS Automation as an engineer and project manager. He loved traveling, hiking, and canoeing. Jeff enjoyed organizing trips for his friends. He loved craft beer, astronomy, and attending concerts. Jeff was a member of the Ann Arbor Brewer's Guild and the Ann Arbor Ski Club.

Survivors include three daughters, Elizabeth (fiance Nick Morris) Spencer of Whitmore Lake, Cheryl (John Millwood) Spencer of Kalamazoo, Nikki (fiance Ty Edwards) Spencer of Culleoka, TN; their mom, Lynne Spencer; his father, Raymond Spencer; his brother, James (Glicia) Spencer of St. Petersburg, FL; a nephew, James S. Spencer; and his long-time companion Kathy Lahey. He was preceded in death by his mother. 

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 21, 1:00 pm at the Village Conference Center in Chelsea. The family will receive friends from 2 - 4 pm after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life or a National Park Association of your choice. 

Click here to view the video of Jeff's memorial service.

You may use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Jeff's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment.

Comments  

#13 Carol A Trembath 2021-11-21 09:32
Will miss Jeff very much. Such a great smile and guy. He so often tried to get me to try dark beer--but couldn't shake me from my favorite -- Bud Light. God Bless You and your family.
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#12 Melissa Kesselring 2021-11-20 08:44
I live near Jeff and did not know him well but would run into him on several occasions while walking my dogs. He always stopped to pet the dogs and have friendly neighborhood conversations. It meant a lot to me. He seemed like a great guy. Condolences to all his family and friends.
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#11 Robert Schults 2021-11-19 06:45
Jeff was always a peaceful, welcoming part of life at Carleton. He always promoted enjoyment of nature and activities to celebrate it.
Condolences to family and fellow friends.
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#10 Richard B Slovak 2021-11-18 08:31
For many years, Jeff was a cousin by marriage, and I have many fond memories of seeing him and his family in Chelsea and when they visited New York. I'm shocked and saddened, and I want to express especially to Cheryl, Liz, and Nikki, and to Jim, that I'm very sorry for the loss of their father, and brother, respectively.
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#9 Rodgers Naylor 2021-11-18 01:13
Jeff and I met when we were in college together in 1975. We quickly became friends and remained friends thereafter, meeting up now and then in fun and serendipitous ways, like seeing the solar eclipse together in Wyoming in 2017. As others have said, Jeff was always a true friend, now one who will be sorely missed.

Rest in peace Jeff. My condolences to all who mourn his loss.

Rodgers (Tres) Naylor
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#8 Retail Velocity 2021-11-17 09:39
Dear Liz and Family – We are all with you in thought and prayer during this time of grieving and remembrance. A Memorial gift has been made to the National Parks Conservation Association in memory of Jeffrey. May you all hold your hearts gently. From all of us at Retail Velocity.
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#7 paul brindle 2021-11-17 09:29
Every day I think of something else I'll be missing because Jeff won't be doing my social planning anymore. I anticipate quite a few "Jeff Memorial" whatever events.
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#6 Chuck Ritsema 2021-11-16 20:42
I've known Jeff for over half of my life and I consider him my best friend. We shared so many experiences over the years, both happy and sad. Camping, hiking, canoeing, talking, drinking beer among other things. I'll never forget our day hike in the Rocky Mountains that turned into an overnight huddled around a fire. Jeff was a generous and caring person who was the driving force behind so many get-togethers. His family and all us many friends will miss him dearly.
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#5 Tim Jarratt 2021-11-16 18:39
Jeff had become one of my closest friends over the last ten years, he came to my mom’s memorial service, he was at the funeral home when the mother of my wife passed, and he visited me when I had my heart surgery - that’s the kind of person he was - kind and always thinking of others. I will miss him terribly.
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#4 Steve Krebs 2021-11-16 17:08
Jeff was such a wonderful friend. Full of good cheer and an attitude full of welcome. We shared an interest in craft beer and evenings with friends. I am grateful for the many wonderful memories, like the evenings he would call and we would meet downtown for dinner and lots of conversation and laughter over beers. Afterwards we often ended up in my basement brewery trying my latest efforts until the wee hours. Jeff and I always found lots to talk about because we had lots in common. I finally figured out what he liked in his chocolate stout: a little unfermentable sugar added. Jeff had a sweet tooth! I never knew. Group trips to brew pubs that Jeff arranged, trips to concerts (two within the last month) other crazy-fun adventures. Jeff was a good and steadfast friend and he is, and in my heart will always be, sorely missed.

Steve Krebs
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