Donald Ray Spencer

Donald Ray Spencer transitioned from this mortal life to life eternal in Christ on Friday, March 3, 2023. Donald “Don” was the first born child of Ernest Spencer Jr. and Mittie Simmons Spencer and entered this world on September 4, 1952. He was the beloved grandson of Ernest Spencer Sr. and Emma Calcote Spencer as well as Eddie Simmons and Vera Burks Simmons. And his great-grandparents, Will Calcote and Ada Trammel Calcote.

Don accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Zion Hill Baptist Church of Ruston, Louisiana. According to Luke 2:23, Don was a holy child.

His educational journey began at Grambling State University’s laboratory school – Grambling Elementary where he excelled academically and was a natural leader. At Lincoln High School, Don was Vice President of Student Government, gifted in Debate and public speaking. He was also an extremely talented musician with the Marching Band at both Lincoln High School and Ruston High specializing in the clarinet as well as the alto saxophone. He was selected as a member of Louisiana Tech University’s Concert Band while still in high school.

After graduation from high school, Don matriculated to Louisiana Tech University in 1970 where he created milestones and foundations for others to follow. Don joined the newly chartered on-campus Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and became a member of the Louisiana Tech Marching band as well as the Jazz Ensemble. In 1973, he became the first African American Drum Major in Louisiana Tech’s history.

He was affectionately called “Spence” upon his arrival at Tech and was one of the founding members of the Black Student Union (BSU). An accomplished, dynamic and persuasive speaker, Don was elected as BSU’s first President.

A keen intellectual and deep thinker, Don graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Bacteriology. After graduation, he moved to Oakland, California where he began a career with Chevron.

He met and married his wife of 43 years Jeanenne Robinson in 1979 and subsequently moved to Dallas Texas in 1980. After he and Jeanenne returned to Dallas from California he switched career paths and began serving the public as a frontend manager at Tom Thumb where he stayed for 15 years. He went on to work at Whole Foods and Minyards, and eventually spent the last 14 years as a butcher in the meat market at Sprouts, where he was known to give hugs to his regular customers. Always keeping a smile on his face, he was proud to receive the regional employee of the year, and nominated three times as Sprouts national employee of year, which is a huge accomplishment for any employee.

Together, Don and his bride, Jeanenne raised their family, enjoyed traveling, playing bingo and visiting casinos. Don was an avid sports fan and loved his lazy Sunday’s watching the Cowboys. However, some of his fondest memories were spending time with his family, listening to music, sharing stories, and playing dominos. He loved cooking, especially for holidays and family gatherings. Even though Don thought he could BBQ, he would would eventually turn the grille over to his grandson Michael Jr, which Don would say with laughter, "it's Michael Jr.'s right of passage". He savored each moment with his family, he took joy teaching and mentoring all the children of the family. Family was everything to him.

He also loved watching Bruce Lee films and became a martial arts enthusiast, Don began training in Tai Kwon Do and obtained the First Degree Black Belt. He then began teaching and mentoring younger students to the discipline. Don was also an avid jogger who regularly ran at White Rock Lake.

Don is preceded in death by his father, Ernest Spencer, Jr. and his son, Fred Lee, Jr.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his loving wife, Jeanenne Spencer, his mother, Mittie Spencer, sisters Peggy Spencer; Jennie Spencer Francois (Murry); Sharon Spencer Jefferson (Reggie), and brother Ernest Spencer III; two sons, Michael Lee and Derek Jones; three daughters Shondra Chester (Jason), Kim Smith (Adrian) and Tawana Timmons (Umarcus), ten grandchildren, six great grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends.