John Lee Spicer

John Lee Spicer, aged 65, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 14, 2023 at his new home in Pocatello, Idaho. John was born on August 24, 1957 in Pocatello. He was the youngest of four children by fourteen years and immediately became a favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews. John proudly grew up in Pocatello and was a 1975 graduate of Pocatello High school where he excelled in wrestling, baseball, and tennis. Tennis quickly became one of John’s greatest talents and passion. As a young adult, he spent time as a tennis professional on the island of Kauai in Hawaii before honorably serving and loving the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

John quickly fell in love with Robbie Tubbs and they were married in the Idaho Falls temple on March 15, 1980. Their forty-three year marriage was filled with snow skiing, tennis, water skiing, traveling, and mountain biking. Teamed with Robbie, they raised four children and loved and nurtured many grandchildren. John’s love for his wife, family, and grandkids truly conquered all.

John attended Idaho State University. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Business Management and Organization and became a huge advocate for higher education. John paved a path for many to accomplish their academic goals. John was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from Idaho State and looked forward to being a part of the board directors of the ISU Foundation, Inc. upon returning to Idaho.

The semiconductor business first met John as a janitor for AMI. His career grew and found success as he climbed the industry ladder from AMI to AMD to ON and finally, after 43 years, retired as the Chief Manufacturing Officer of SkyWater Technology. John held countless titles and jobs. He never gave the impression of having earned, or deserved his opportunities and roles. To go to his home or his office was to feel simultaneously at ease but never afraid to talk about the challenges of the place or the people in his life and workplace. It was an honest way of living. Never prideful, always respectful. John’s career pulled him all around the country and world including Europe and Asia. John and Robbie passed years in Texas, Arizona, and Minnesota, but always maintained a tight elliptical orbit around their hometown. John retired and became a proud resident of Pocatello again for the last time in May of 2023.

John showed his true character by endlessly giving back to his family, his friends, and his church. John was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. He truly was a dedicated disciple of our Savior. He served in several capacities, and shared his beliefs and passions with all, young and old. He was a person who didn’t just smile, he shone bright with the light of Christ.

John is survived by his wife, Robbie (Tubbs) Spicer, his siblings, Stan (Arva) Spicer and Walt (Shanna) Spicer, his four children and their spouses, Jared (Jennie) Spicer, Cory (Amy) Spicer, Jenilee (Jeremy) Johnson, Daniel (Courtney) Spicer, and twelve adoring grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Hyrum and Jean Spicer, his sister, Geraldine Stone, his brother, Ronald Gene Spicer, and his sweet granddaughter, Teagan Spicer.

John gave all and has now been called home for a greater purpose than we can all imagine or understand. We look in awe, bewilderment, and a tiny bit of resentment that he could not be with us just a few more years. John’s testimony for what he found to be certain is now transformed into our hope and expectation that we will see him again, but until then, “let’s rock and roll…”

A viewing will be held at the ISU Alumni Center, 1601 E. Bonneville, on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. A second viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Highland 10th Ward building located at 2925 Michelle Street. Funeral services will follow that viewing and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Local residents are encouraged to attend the Monday evening viewing if at all possible, to allow for those travelling from out of town to attend the Tuesday morning viewing. Interment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery.

 A link to the webcast of the service is available below.

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