James "Jim" Creighton Spence

James “Jim” Creighton Spence, 79, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 28, 2019.  Jim, was born on March 21, 1940 in Guernsey County, Ohio to Frank and Mayme Spence, where he was raised on a small farm. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1963. In 1964 he moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, to plant his roots and proceeded to become a successful real estate developer and builder.

His passion for building led him to form J.C. Spence & Associates Inc. in 1973. He went on to develop several living communities in the Terre Haute area, which include Kingswood Terra, Garden Quarter, Woodgate South, The Village Quarter and The Woods subdivisions. An avid fan of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, Spence entered the racing business in 1991.  His greatest accomplishments in the racing industry included producing Grade 1 Stakes Winners, Lilly Capote and Aubby Kaye.

Jim was a wonderful, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  As a pilot, he enjoyed flying his plane. He loved his work, traveling, going to the horse races, boating and most importantly his family.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Tammi Rogers Spence; his daughter, Shelly Spence Hendrix  and husband Rick of Great Falls, Virginia; son, Frank Spence of Bloomington, Indiana; stepdaughter, Amber Ennen Tegtmeyer and husband Nicholas of Oro Valley, Arizona, Stepson, Jeffrey Ennen and wife Erica of Terre Haute, Indiana. 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Hendrix, Brittany Hendrix, Paul Spence, Samuel Spence, Christopher Hendrix, Nicholas Hendrix, Aubrey Tegtmeyer and Emmalyn Tegtmeyer; and two sisters Nancy Spence Laughlin and husband Jim and Joellen Spence Starr all of Ohio.

He is proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Spence McVicker and husband Leonard; sister, Martha Spence Corwin and husband Bill; and brother in law, Franklin Starr.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 31st from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at DeBaun Funeral Home, 85 E. Springhill Drive, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802.

Funeral services will be held at DeBaun Funeral Home, on Thursday, August 1st, at 11:00 AM with with visitation one hour prior to services, with Pastor Rod Maris officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Old Washington, Ohio.

The family invites friends to a luncheon following the funeral.  The luncheon will be held at the Red Barn at Sycamore Farms, 5100 Poplar in Terre Haute.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VNA/Hospice of the Wabash Valley- Gibson Family Center. https://visitingnursehospiceofthewabashvalley.salsalabs.org/donationinmemoryhonorof/index.html  

Mailing Address:
VNA & Hospice Homecare of the Wabash Valley
400 8th Ave 
Terre Haute, IN 47804

Designation of Donation: to be made to the Gibson Family Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com

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