James L. Spare

Mr. James (Jim) Louis Spare, age 81, passed to heaven surrounded by his family in Harrisburg, PA on June 18, 2021.  Son of the late George L. and Ruth (Strunk) Spare, he was born on December 22, 1939 in Kingston, Pennsylvania.  Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marva (Clouser) Spare; his two daughters, Tami Spare and Michelle Furjanic; his grandchildren, Andrew Furjanic and Morgan Furjanic; brother, Todd Spare; and sisters, Judy Vandercoy and Jane Brown.

Jim graduated from Kingston High School in 1958. He then worked as a leader in the healthcare data processing field at Electronic Data Systems for 23 years and at Highmark for 14 years until he retired in 2006.  No matter where he worked, he always tried to put a smile on people’s faces.  In his retirement years, he worked at Hershey Park as a self-proclaimed “watergun marksman” entertaining kids as they waited in lines for rides.  He was also well known for wearing a Santa hat and handing out candy canes to everyone he met at Christmastime. His humor and generosity will always remain in the hearts of those who remember him.

He served his community in many ways during his lifetime.  Jim was a Sergeant in the Army Reserve from 1957 to 1963.  He also served as the chairman of the Swatara Sewer Authority for 33 years and as the Judge of Elections in Swatara for more than 20 years.  He was the Chairman of Area M Special Olympics where his daughter competed in Track & Field games.

His family and faith in God were very important to him, and he was a member of a church community his whole life.  He was a past deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, and youth leader at the Highspire Church of God.  He later became a member of the Hershey Evangelical Free Church where he served as an elder and as one of the founders of the Kings Corps ministry for adults with disabilities.  He helped to lead their monthly socials for more than 20 years.  Jim enjoyed singing in his high school choir and as a member of the Highspire Singers.  He also sang for many years on the choir of the Hershey Free Church and performed in many of their Christmas and Easter musicals.  He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren spending many years working with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and attending many dance recitals.

He had a wide variety of interests and hobbies.  He was an avid golfer, participating in many charity tournaments and recreational leagues. He loved the outdoors and felt closest to God in nature. He enjoyed fishing and boating, and he took sailing lessons on the Potomac.  He loved feeding the birds and watching deer and the wildlife in his back yard.  He and his wife shared a love of rose gardening and participated in the Harrisburg Rose Society for many years.

Friends and family can pay their respects at the funeral service, officiated by Pastor Omar Zook and Pastor David Martin, on Saturday, June 26th.  A time of viewing and visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the Hershey Evangelical Free Church, 330 Hilltop Rd, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, 17036.  A private family burial will follow at the Highspire Cemetery, 115 Richardson Rd, Highspire, PA 17057.

Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Hershey Free Church or Salvation Army Harrisburg, 506 South 29th St, Harrisburg, PA 17104.

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