Kirk Spencer
August 8, 1967 – February 9, 2004
Kirk Spencer was an amazing man who, at the age of 36, lost his life to sudden cardiac arrest. It was a usual Monday morning. I was headed out the door with our baby as Kirk was headed to the gym. For some reason it wasn’t our usual rushed and crazy morning. We took time to have coffee together and admire our beautiful little baby girl, Payton. I remember feeling like the world had a kind of sweet perfection. We belonged together, and even with all of life’s craziness I was living a fairy tale life. As I drove out of our driveway and in front of our house I watched him as he walked from the front door to his car smiling and waving at me. I wanted to burn that image into my mind. I had such a strange feeling, and as I slowly drove away I just could not stop looking in my mirror at him.
I received a phone call a couple of hours later that there had been an accident at the gym and that Kirk was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. I figured that he maybe had fainted and maybe hit his head on something and told my business partner that I would be back in a few hours. Upon arriving at the hospital Payton and I were put into a private little room where we waited, but nobody would tell us what was going on. Clearly, NOT a good sign. Then a doctor and a social worker came in and proceeded to tell me how “this was the hardest part of their job” and that they worked on him for a long time but just could not resuscitate him. How could this happen to us? Our family ripped to shreds. Our lives turned upside down in a matter of hours!
Kirk left behind a wife, four month old daughter, two step-daughters, a family that has loved him since the day he was born, and a multitude of wonderful friends. We ask ourselves “why” every single day. Why did this happen to such a vibrant and healthy man. He had so much life to live and so much to look forward to.
Kirk was an exceptional human being. Always going above and beyond. He gave of himself freely. In addition to his career in sales, he coached youth football and ran the local youth wrestling program. While he loved football, his favorite sport of all was wrestling. The way that he was able to reach some of those young men was amazing.
Kirk was adored and idolized by most of the young boys that he coached. His fun-loving nature and razor sharp wit made him irresistible. He was the kind of person that made me want to be a better person. The way he lived his life was so simple and genuine. He was a man of high integrity and pride, yet absolutely not driven by ego.He loved his family, his friends, his dogs and, of course, his motorcycle.
I wish that all of you could have had the chance to meet Kirk. His magnetic personality and passion for life brightened the darkest room and I am just so thankful that I had him in my life. I am thankful that Kirk knew Christ and that he is in Heaven with God and he has the answers to all of our “whys”. I find comfort in knowing that he will be waiting for us when we arrive… waiting with open arms and that huge smile of his. — Paige Spencer
