Jim Spainhower
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Spainhower is a U.S. Democratic politician from Missouri
. He served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives
and two terms as the Missouri State Treasurer
.
, the youngest of fourteen children. He attended in elementary school in Stanberry, and attended Maryville High School in Maryville, Missouri
, graduating in 1946. Following graduation from high school, he attended Phillips University
in Enid, Oklahoma
, earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1950. Three years later, in 1953, he earned a bachelor's degree in divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary
. On June 10, 1950, he married the former Joanne Steanson of Ponca City, Oklahoma
. The couple has two children. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an ordained Disciples of Christ minister, serving pastorates in Fayetteville, Arkansas
, Marshall, Missouri
, Bosworth, Missouri
, Mendon, Missouri
, Grand Pass, Missouri
and Oakland, Missouri
. He received his Master's Degree from Phillips University
and his PhD in Political Science from the University of Missouri
, as well as numerous honorary doctorates from colleges and universities throughout the country. Jim's brother John Spainhower, a long-time coach and athletic director at Kirksville
High School
is a member of the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
, where he was a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the House Education Committee. During his tenure in the state legislature, he also earned master's and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Missouri
. In 1972, he was elected as State Treasurer of Missouri
, and served from 1973 to 1981 in that post. Unable to seek a third term in 1980, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, losing the Democratic Party
nomination to incumbent Joseph P. Teasdale
.
Spainhower threw his hat into the ring for the special 1976 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate after the initial winner Jerry Litton
was killed while flying to the victory party. Spainhower lost to Warren Hearnes who garnered 63.3% of the vote. Hearnes lost the general election to John Danforth
.
in Point Lookout, Missouri
, President of Lindenwood University
in St. Charles, Missouri and President of the Division of Higher Education for the Disciples of Christ denomination. After retirement he and his wife moved to Rogers, Arkansas
, where he served as interim pastor at several churches in Bella Vista, Arkansas
, Harrison, Arkansas
and Bentonville, Arkansas
. He and his wife currently reside in Raymore, Missouri
.
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. He served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
and two terms as the Missouri State Treasurer
State Treasurer of Missouri
The State Treasurer of Missouri is a statewide elected official responsible for serving as Missouri's chief financial officer. The current State Treasurer is Clint Zweifel.-Duties of the State Treasurer:...
.
Early life
Jim Spainhower was born in Stanberry, MissouriStanberry, Missouri
Stanberry is a city in Gentry County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,243 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stanberry is located at ....
, the youngest of fourteen children. He attended in elementary school in Stanberry, and attended Maryville High School in Maryville, Missouri
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
, graduating in 1946. Following graduation from high school, he attended Phillips University
Phillips University
Phillips University was a private, coeducational institution of higher education located in Enid, Oklahoma, United States, from 1906 to 1998. It was affiliated with the Christian Church . It included an undergraduate college and a graduate seminary...
in Enid, Oklahoma
Enid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
, earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1950. Three years later, in 1953, he earned a bachelor's degree in divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary
Lexington Theological Seminary
Lexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the seminary is related to the Christian Church , it is intentionally ecumenical with almost 50 percent of its enrollment coming from other denominations...
. On June 10, 1950, he married the former Joanne Steanson of Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City is a small city in Kay and Osage counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, which was named after the Ponca Tribe. Located in north central Oklahoma, it lies approximately south of the Kansas border, and approximately east of Interstate 35. 25,919 people called Ponca City home at the...
. The couple has two children. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an ordained Disciples of Christ minister, serving pastorates in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
, Marshall, Missouri
Marshall, Missouri
Marshall is a city in Saline County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,065 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Saline County,. The Marshall Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Saline County. It is also home to Missouri Valley College...
, Bosworth, Missouri
Bosworth, Missouri
Bosworth is a city in Carroll County, Missouri, United States. The population was 382 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bosworth is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Mendon, Missouri
Mendon, Missouri
Mendon is a city in Chariton County, Missouri, United States. The population was 208 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mendon is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Grand Pass, Missouri
Grand Pass, Missouri
Grand Pass is a village in Saline County, Missouri, United States. The population was 53 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1943, German and Italian prisoners of World War II were brought to Missouri and other Midwest states as a means of solving the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the...
and Oakland, Missouri
Oakland, Missouri
Oakland is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,381 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Oakland is located at ....
. He received his Master's Degree from Phillips University
Phillips University
Phillips University was a private, coeducational institution of higher education located in Enid, Oklahoma, United States, from 1906 to 1998. It was affiliated with the Christian Church . It included an undergraduate college and a graduate seminary...
and his PhD in Political Science from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, as well as numerous honorary doctorates from colleges and universities throughout the country. Jim's brother John Spainhower, a long-time coach and athletic director at Kirksville
Kirksville, Missouri
Kirksville is the county seat of Adair County, Missouri, United States. It is located in Benton Township. The population was 17,505 at the 2010 census. Kirksville also anchors a micropolitan area that comprises Adair and Schuyler counties. The city is perhaps best known as the location of Truman...
High School
Kirksville High School
Kirksville High School is a public high school located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school serves grades 9 through 12, and is part of the Kirksville R-III School District. Current enrollment is 827 students, with a staff of 74 teachers, paras and administrators...
is a member of the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Political career
From 1963 to 1970, he served in the Missouri House of RepresentativesMissouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
, where he was a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the House Education Committee. During his tenure in the state legislature, he also earned master's and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. In 1972, he was elected as State Treasurer of Missouri
State Treasurer of Missouri
The State Treasurer of Missouri is a statewide elected official responsible for serving as Missouri's chief financial officer. The current State Treasurer is Clint Zweifel.-Duties of the State Treasurer:...
, and served from 1973 to 1981 in that post. Unable to seek a third term in 1980, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, losing the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nomination to incumbent Joseph P. Teasdale
Joseph P. Teasdale
Joseph Patrick Teasdale is an American politician. He served as the 48th Governor of Missouri from 1977 to 1981. He is member of the Democratic Party....
.
Spainhower threw his hat into the ring for the special 1976 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate after the initial winner Jerry Litton
Jerry Litton
Jerry Lon Litton was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Missouri who died with his wife and two children while en route via a small plane to the victory party after winning Missouri's state Democratic primary for U.S. Senate....
was killed while flying to the victory party. Spainhower lost to Warren Hearnes who garnered 63.3% of the vote. Hearnes lost the general election to John Danforth
John Danforth
John Claggett "Jack" Danforth is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Republican United States Senator from Missouri. He is an ordained Episcopal priest. Danforth is married to Sally D. Danforth and has five adult children.-Education and early career:Danforth was born...
.
Later career
Following his tenure as State Treasurer, he held the posts of President of the College of the OzarksCollege of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian liberal-arts college, with its campus at Point Lookout near Branson and Hollister, Missouri, United States. It is south of Springfield on a campus, overlooking Lake Taneycomo...
in Point Lookout, Missouri
Point Lookout, Missouri
Point Lookout is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States, near Branson and Hollister. A college town, it is next to Lake Taneycomo and is home to the College of the Ozarks. College of the Ozarks hosts the NAIA Division II basketball tournament annually.Point Lookout is...
, President of Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
in St. Charles, Missouri and President of the Division of Higher Education for the Disciples of Christ denomination. After retirement he and his wife moved to Rogers, Arkansas
Rogers, Arkansas
Rogers is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 55,964. The city is located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area, in the northwest corner of the state.-History:...
, where he served as interim pastor at several churches in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Bella Vista is a city in Benton County, Arkansas. It previously was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas; however, in November 2006 it voted to incorporate and form a municipality. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association estimates that there are currently 24,000...
, Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is the county seat. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,108. Boone County was organized in 1869, during reconstruction after the civil war. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is...
and Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He and his wife currently reside in Raymore, Missouri
Raymore, Missouri
Raymore is a city in Cass County, Missouri, United States. Raymore is one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Missouri, and surpassed the 2007 estimated population of 16,000 by over 1,000. It is a suburb of choice for many people that make the daily commute to Metropolitan Kansas...
.