Rev. Jay Wilman Spoonheim, in the presence of his beloved family, Isa, Joel and Lani, Tait, Sara and Yali, Sharon, and grandchildren Naia and Milo, died peacefully at home on Sunday evening, July 27 at 94 years of age.

His life was filled with many adventures including:

• Growing up in Williston, ND and Breckenridge, MN working for his dad on the Great Northern Railroad and spending summers working on his Uncle George’s farm

• Serving in the US Navy, winging around the world as a radar operator on P2V

• Attending Concordia College, Moorhead MN singing under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen

• Teaching high school government and choir on the Lake Traverse (Sioux) Indian Reservation in Sisseton, SD

• Attending Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary while working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory which led to a life of ministry proclaiming God’s grace.

• Marrying Isa in 1968 and raising three children, Joel, Tait, and Sara.

In 2025, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a Lutheran minister, having served churches in Northridge, CA, Chico, CA, Long Beach, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Kumamoto, Japan, and Stanton, ND, in addition to interim calls in Los Alamos, NM, Albuquerque, NM, Kodiak, AK, Palmer, AK, and Chicago, IL. Pastor Jay and Isa founded Lutheran Church of the Servant in Santa Fe where he emphasized the servant nature of Jesus. Weekly after-church brunches included a serving of “Roast Preacher” as family and friends would debate the quality and duration of sermons, a tradition he loved. His servanthood included a weekly commitment as “scullery maid” to wash dishes at the Salvation Army.

His effusive, joyful spirit filled rooms as he connected with strangers making friends especially in coffee and donut shops. Fearlessly empowered by the example of Jesus, Jay championed serving the less fortunate, building a more just and caring society, and advocating for peace. He loved life and was not afraid to welcome death. His last words were singing hymns with the family and reminding us all that “The best is yet to come!”

A memorial with hymn sing, popcorn and pie will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Edmond, OK. In lieu of flowers, gifts to support the creation of housing for homeless veterans are welcome to: New Creation Lifework at https://newcreationlifework.o…

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