Comments: Mike was truly an AMAZING man- In every way possible. He was extremely kind, light-hearted, funny, caring, and compassionate. He touched everyone he came in contact with- and no matter how bad of a day you may have been having, he could make you smile and laugh and forget your bad day all-together. He loved his wife Sue so, so very much. I still remember him opening the car door for her everytime they got into the car. It would always make me smile. The love he had for her was obvious to everyone they came in contact with. They were never apart. They were truly 2 halves of one whole heart, full of love and devotion. Mike makes me want to be the best husband I can possibly be for my wife, Jamie. Remembering the way Mike and Sue were together makes me strive for the best marriage Jamie and I can have together. There is so much about Mike that I look up to him for and I will never forget what a wonderful man he was. I have so many wonderful, fun memories of him that I hold dear to my heart. He was a legend when it came to playing the guitar, like you wouldn't believe! Playing in FireHawk with him was truly an HONOR. We had so many great times playing music and laughing. I loved it when he'd make up his own words right in the middle of a song- (usually it had something to do with an event that had actually happened to him-like hitting a deer on his way to a gig in Heber, Sue knows what I'm talking about because it was in her car), and somehow he fit it into the song so perfectly. I'd laugh so hard I'd nearly fall off my seat trying to play the drums. Mike was a great friend and he will truly be missed by so many who love him. I will never forget my dear friend, he will always have a special place in my heart.
Submitted by Name: Jim Blackett From: Springville, Utah E-mail: Contact
Comments: I knew Mike for over 30 years and was lucky enough to play with him in our band Rockdaddy for the last seven years. What a true honor! It is a rare thing to be in a band where there was not one mean word, no egos, no bickering, no fighting among band members, but that is truly the way it was in Rockdaddy. All of us looked forward to going to practice to play music and just enjoy our time together. Mike would get in that zone of his and play some of the best leads that I have ever heard. The rest of us would look at each other and just shake our heads in amazement. He made it look so easy and never would even look at the little dots on the fret board....he was a master of the guitar! His voice was so powerful he would blow your socks off, and the next song he could move you to tears singing a beautiful ballad. And I got to hear that on a weekly basis!!! Mike and I got to be very close and he was one of my best friends in the world, my heart has a hole in it that can never be refilled. Sue, you are one of the strongest people I know. Thank you for helping me get through all of this. Thank you for the phone calls and texts keeping us informed on what was going on. I was so looking forward to going to your house and play guitars with him on the night he was supposed to come home.....I hate cancer! Vern and Jim, my thanks to you for making it sound good! Mike, I love you man, and I will miss you forever!
Submitted by Name: Bryan Peterson From: Dallas TX E-mail: Contact
Comments: The funeral service was beautiful. As I told Sue afterwards, appropriately extraordinary for an extraordinary man.
I recently recalled an experience I had with Mike in simpler times. One summer afternoon 35 years ago (1976) Mike and I were sitting in my apartment with nothing to do. Mike said, "let's drive to Las Vegas." So, at that very moment and with no further thought, we walked out of the house, got in his little car and drove away. We had just the clothes on our backs and about $25 in our pockets. We took along several of our favorite cassettes - I distinctly remember listening to Jackson Browne, among others. The music never stopped.
We arrived in Las Vegas that evening and ate at an all-you-can-eat $1.99 buffet. Afterwards, we noticed there were two shows on the strip that we wanted to see; Jerry Lee Lewis and B. B. King. Being a piano player, of course, I voted for Jerry Lee, but I could tell that Mike really wanted to see B. B. King. So B. B. it was. We enjoyed the show but, of course, by now were nearly out of money - and it was midnight in Las Vegas. We had nothing to spend on a hotel so we went to an Elementary school and slept on the lawn - no blankets, no pillows, in our clothes, under the stars. By morning we were covered in dew. Nothing bothered us. We got up, got back in the car and drove home to Provo. How I wish life was that simple again. I'll cherish that experience, and many others with Mike, for the rest of my life.
Mike, you were my friend for 39 years. Although I saw you only sporadically, you might have been my best friend. We laughed in all of our conversations. I could tell you anything. I never heard you utter an unkind word. You accepted me for all of my flaws. We talked about the wonder of music. We had amazing times playing together. We wanted to play together again sometime in the future. We will, my friend. Love you.
Submitted by Name: Allen Henricksen From: Provo E-mail: Contact
Comments: Mike was my neighbor and friend from when I was 13 years old. I grew up with him and he influenced every area of my life. He made a huge difference in me and I will forever treasure the memories that I have of him and the time I spent with him. I will miss you Mike.
Submitted by Name: Craig McAllister From: 9th Ward E-mail: Contact
Comments: I have been the the Ward choir director in our ward for 2 1/2 years. When I first became the choir director, knowing Michael's great musical talent, I wondered whether I would be able to get him to sing in the Ward choir. With his great musical talent he could have easily reasoned that he was "too good" for a Ward choir. But, quite to the contrary, he was one of the most faithful Ward choir members that we had and contributed his great spirit, personality, and musical talent to that endeavor. Even when he was the Ward clerk or a long period of time and couldn't rehearse with us after church, he would still come to our final rehearsals before the church meeting that we were going to perform and perform with us. He continued to do so right up to the end and last sang with the choir a month before he passed away. I will always remember his very humble dedication to an amateur choir in spite of his great professional qualifications. Thanks Mike. We'll miss you.
Submitted by Name: Alan Rasmussen From: Provo, Utah E-mail: Contact
Comments: This August we will be having the Provo High Class of 71 Reunion at which Michael will greatly missed. We will be honoring our classmates that have passed on and with the family's and band permission we would like to use his music and a few pictures. I know that my memories of Michael are shared with all classmates that knew him. He always had a fun and happy air about him. you have created a wonderful tribute to him Rest in Peace our Gentle Giant
Submitted by Name: Linda Sanders From: Platte City, Missouri E-mail: Contact
Comments: Today we laid to rest my wonderful brother-in-law Michael Spencer. He will be missed so much. He was an amazing husband to my sister Susan, and father to his four children;Scott, Jeff, Melissa and James. I am so grateful to be able to have been a part of his life as his sister-in-law. He was a kind, gentle, loving man, with a great sense of humor and a deep love for everyone he knew. He was known for his amazing talent as a musician and songwriter...and I loved all of his music...but what he excelled at was being a man who made the world a better place just by being in it. He lived his life with enthusiasm and saw the good in everyone. He and Susan were an example to all of how wonderful a loving marriage can be. He left a rich legacy to everyone through his music and most of all through all the lives he touched.
Submitted by Name: Vera Peterson From: Provo, Utah
Comments: I was in school with Mike from 7th grade through graduation. I always admired him for his kindness and happy smile that he always presented. He was a wonderful young man and it looks as if he lived a happy and full life. God Bless to his family. He will be missed. Vera Batley Peterson
Submitted by Name: Ron Pittman From: Keithville, Louisiana E-mail: Contact
Comments: I’ll never forget the time Kristi and I went to see Mike play. He was with Newspaper Taxi and they were playing at Club Dada’s in Dallas’ Westend. Kristi had always told me her brother-in-law played music and had been in several bands. Well, needless to say, I was blown away that night when I realized the magnitude of his talents. The vocals and harmonies in their live performance were absolutely perfect and I couldn’t believe this was the same quiet, laid back, Dad that I had met only briefly a couple of times.
We have always been very proud of Mike and we are so glad we got to spend last Thanksgiving with him and Susan at her parent’s house. He greeted us at the door and that afternoon, shared some of his experiences from his mission in Paris, over dinner. We are deeply saddened by his passing but also blessed to have known him and now , upon hearing those beautiful songs from his tribute video’s, we are again, just in awe of our brother-in-law. We love you very much Mike, Susan and family.
Submitted by Name: Michael Berrett From: Utah E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Susan and Family;
I honor Michael Spencer today - and forever. A better song writer, singer, and musician cannot be found. Michael played from the heart. Michael was always a hero to me in many ways: He lived his life by principle and without compromising his beliefs. He stayed true to his LDS faith, he refused to judge others, and he knew how to inspire, teach, and lead others through his quiet and kind, and powerful example. Michael and Susan have taught us all how to suffer adversity with grace, style, faith, and a positive attitude. Karen and I thank God for Michael and Susan Spencer - our friends for eternity. With love, Michael and Karen Berrett and Family
Name: Brett & Jamie Manzanares
From: Utah
E-mail: Contact
Mike was truly an AMAZING man- In every way possible. He was extremely kind, light-hearted, funny, caring, and compassionate. He touched everyone he came in contact with- and no matter how bad of a day you may have been having, he could make you smile and laugh and forget your bad day all-together.
He loved his wife Sue so, so very much. I still remember him opening the car door for her everytime they got into the car. It would always make me smile. The love he had for her was obvious to everyone they came in contact with. They were never apart. They were truly 2 halves of one whole heart, full of love and devotion. Mike makes me want to be the best husband I can possibly be for my wife, Jamie. Remembering the way Mike and Sue were together makes me strive for the best marriage Jamie and I can have together. There is so much about Mike that I look up to him for and I will never forget what a wonderful man he was.
I have so many wonderful, fun memories of him that I hold dear to my heart. He was a legend when it came to playing the guitar, like you wouldn't believe! Playing in FireHawk with him was truly an HONOR. We had so many great times playing music and laughing. I loved it when he'd make up his own words right in the middle of a song- (usually it had something to do with an event that had actually happened to him-like hitting a deer on his way to a gig in Heber, Sue knows what I'm talking about because it was in her car), and somehow he fit it into the song so perfectly. I'd laugh so hard I'd nearly fall off my seat trying to play the drums.
Mike was a great friend and he will truly be missed by so many who love him. I will never forget my dear friend, he will always have a special place in my heart.