Ben Joby Spencer passed away on April 28, 2024, at the age of 44.
Ben was born in Bellingham, Washington,  January 1, 1980 to Joe and Jerris Spencer. He was the 4th of seven children. He is predeceased by his sister: Lydia Fredin, and his father: Joe Spencer. He is survived by his mother: Jerris, his sisters: Michelle, and Becky, and his brothers: Zane, Zed and Zachary. He was loved by all who knew the goodness of his heart.
May you find peace dear Ben...

Cow in the Kitchen
by Jerris Spencer

Who is this little cow
crawling across my kitchen floor
mooing loudly
There may be little adventure
in being a farmer's wife
but there certainly is
in having a farmer's son
and your idea of fun
has certainly left me laughing
many times
and sometimes
I wonder what I'm raising you to be
wasn't it yesterday
you barked at me

What it doesn't say in this poem is that Ben had no clothes on and when he was asked where his clothes were, his reply was, “Mom, cows don't wear clothes!”
As Ben grew up he struggled with social, emotional, and mental challenges. We could see that life was difficult for him. When he was twenty one he had a break down that put him in the hospital for several months. He was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. From that time forward he faced challenges with mental issues and addictions. He once told his mother that he knew he was messed up in his brain but he had a good heart. She knew that was true even though his choices in life were poor. Before he died he was in a place of wanting and seeking for help. God answered that desire and took him home to a place where he can truly heal.
He passed through the veil on April 28, 2024 and is now with his dad and his sister, Lydia. He's free from mental illness and addictions and can move on and become the person his good heart desires to be.
 

Blind Wanderers
written by Ben Spencer

Enshrouded in darkness
foolish
wandering alone
A ray of light peaks through
I then explore
break through darkness
into a place where light prevails
I never want to leave
and don't have to
The man above says “hi”
to all those blind wanderers