Couple Sees “God’s Love” While Visiting Boys Ranch
While attending the Working Ranch Cowboy Association (WRCA) Rodeo in Amarillo, Jeff and Liz Spooner decided to venture 47 miles northwest to visit Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.
They heard about it from friends and were curious to see the community for themselves. Mike Pacino, major gifts officer and historian for Boys Ranch, gave them a tour of the area and shared the rich history with the couple. From there, the Spooners decided to contribute to the ranch.
“We had a really good time and thought the ranch was something we’d like to support,” Jeff said. “We’ve just been blessed financially, and so we consider it a blessing to us to be able to pass it on.”
The Spooners were drawn to serving others from young adulthood. Liz joined the U.S. Army and then became a physician. She worked full-time for 30 years, and said she’s known from a young age that she was called to work in medicine.
“I had a surgical procedure done when I was a teenager, and I just really loved the people who worked there,” Liz said.
“I was really impressed with them and knew that’s what I wanted to do. I started college at Oral Roberts University, and a pastor from the area prophesized that I would become a healer. I already knew that, but it was good to have that confirmation.”
Liz returned to her home state when she transferred to the University of Virginia. Liz and Jeff were high school sweethearts and went to pursue their own careers. While Liz was working as a physician, Jeff was a police officer who trained canines. Jeff said he’s always had an affection for animals. He had a friend who was a veterinarian and specialist in animal behavior who piqued his interest in American Quarter Horses.
After 25 years of finding their own passions, the Spooners reconnected and bought a small ranch in Fort Hood, Texas. Together they owned a Quarter Horse business for 10 years.
“I had my horses already, and Liz had horses when she was young, but she got away from that and swore she’d never date a cowboy,” Jeff said. “But she ended up marrying me anyways and got back into it.”
Now the Spooners reside in Grandview, Texas with a Longhorn ranch of 50 cattle strong. Jeff said, “he was getting too old to mess with colts,” so they decided to purchase a Longhorn from a ranch in Oklahoma and one turned into four, then 40, then 50. Liz works part time as a physician in Des Moines, Iowa. Their passion for animals is a common thread they share with each other and the people in their lives. They host a branding party at their ranch every year for their new cattle and invite their neighbors.
The couple also attended the Boys Ranch Rodeo last year, bringing their RV to the ranch to watch the athletes show off their skills.
“It’s something we’ve wanted to do since we became familiar with Boys Ranch,” Jeff said. “It finally fit into our schedules, and we said we’re doing it this year.”
Liz’s favorite event is mutton busting.
“I like seeing the little kids. It’s cute and it’s nice to see them building those skills at an early age.” Liz said.
The Spooners said they appreciated that the boys and girls who are at Boys Ranch are there by choice, and they had the opportunity to experience a wide range of extracurricular activities.
“I like the fact that [Boys Ranch] has so many programs to choose from,” Liz said.
“It’s not like they choose from only track or football. The ranch offers rodeo, rocketry, cowboy poetry and trail rides. They get out there and are actually doing things. And when they turn 18, they’re not just kicked out. [Boys Ranch] continues to stay in touch with them and helps them transition into adulthood.”
The Spooners said above all, they give to Boys Ranch because they can witness their donations going to work. They said the people of Boys Ranch have always welcomed them like family when they visit. The couple jokes that Jeff’s “allergies” prevent them from having kids of their own.
They said being a part of the community gives them a chance to make a difference in the lives of children.
“In my opinion, when you go to the ranch, you don’t just see the difference, you feel the difference,” Jeff said. “We have a logbook of our travels and last time we went to the ranch, we wrote ‘it’s where you go to see a little slice of God’s love.’”