James A. Spencer of Bentonville, AR, departed this life on Sunday, March 24, 2013. He was born November 5, 1930 in Clayton, OK. He moved with his family to Marshall, TX, for a few years before they settled in Plainview, AR, where he spent his teenage years. He was active in sports lettering three years in basketball for Plainview-Rover High School. He attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR, and earned a bachelor's degree. From 1953 - 1955 he served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. After leaving active duty he worked for a bank in Plainview, AR, and in 1957 married Barbara Ann Good of Commerce, TX. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR, where he earned a Master's degree and then moved to Raleigh, NC, to pursue a Ph.D at North Carolina State University in Plant Pathology. Along the way he and Barbara started a family that eventually consisted of three children. After completing his doctoral degree, he accepted a faculty position with Mississippi State University (MSU) in Starkville, MS, in January 1967. He taught classes and conducted research as a member of the Plant Pathology and Weed Science department. His research initially focused on turf grasses but soon progressed to day lilies, and led to discoveries of diseases for a flower that had been considered essentially disease-free. In the latter years of his career he turned his attention to roses and became an expert in disease identification and treatment of roses. He created a beautiful hilltop rose garden on the MSU agricultural research farm that became an attraction for tours with state and local dignitaries, elementary school classes, as well as university students/ faculty and local residents who often brought picnic lunches to enjoy while sitting among the roses. His rose garden and research were featured in several journals and magazines. He also became a consultant and speaker, and was very active with the local rose society. He loved the outdoors and was inspired by the beauty in nature and the world that God created. He dearly loved all of his family. He was deeply involved in the lives and activities of his children and was frequently heard to say "My children set the world's record for growing up the fastest." He loved music and shared that love of music with family and friends. He had a gift for whistling and even until the end of his life was often heard whistling a tune. He loved to sing - especially church hymns. Most of all he loved God and his church family, the Starkville church of Christ. He was active in church work, and was especially passionate about mission work through World Bible School. He lived, worked, worshipped, and enjoyed life to the fullest for 37 years in Starkville, MS. In November 2004 he moved to Bentonville AR and became a member of the Bentonville church of Christ. He is survived by his son, Tim Spencer and his wife Judy Spencer, daughter, Jeannie Alexander and her husband Tom Alexander, and daughter-in-law, Sarah Spencer; twin sisters Gee Spencer and Dee Gateley; grandchildren Keely Burcham and her husband Brandon Burcham, Kinsey Alexander, Drew Alexander, Brady Spencer, Emily Spencer, Clay Spencer, Sarah Spencer and John Spencer; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents James E. and Lola Spencer, a son Barton Spencer, and a brother in law Wayne Gateley. A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the Ola church of Christ in Ola, AR, followed by a graveside service at the Old Salem Road Cemetery in Plainview, AR. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Starkville church of Christ earmarked for the "Build the Vision" fund at: Starkville church of Christ, 613 E. Lee Blvd., Starkville, MS, 39759; phone 662-323-1499 and email address: office@starkvillechurch.org. Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.