Spencer Jay Danks

Spencer Jay Danks was born on October 18, 1956, to parents John William Spencer Danks and beloved mother Yvonne Danks. He passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at the age of 64 in Sharp Memorial Hospital. He was not surrounded by the family he cherished due to visitor restrictions imposed as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid 19). Spencer was a quiet, kind, humble man, an extraordinary husband and amazing father and provider.

His childhood years were spent growing up on Waterhill Road in Lakeside, CA. He attended elementary school, junior high and high school in Lakeside, CA. Spencer graduated in 1973 (a 3-year grad) from El Capitan High School.

Spencer continued his education at Grossmont College. In 1984 he began attending night classes after work through the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Plumbing & Apprentice program. In 3 ½ years he achieved plumbing, pipefitting and welding certifications that were his proud credentials for gainful employment.

At the age of 15, while a sophomore at El Capital High School, Spencer met Jennifer Anderson in concert and marching band. It wasn’t long before they became high school sweethearts. Jennifer said, her first attraction to Spencer was his kindness, gentlemanly nature, thoughtfulness, humor, consideration, sense of responsibility, and he was a Christian. Within a year they fell deeply in love knowing even at tender ages, that it was the kind of love that would endure hardships and last a lifetime. Spencer was 18 years old when they married on July 27, 1975, in the First Baptist Church of the Willows in Alpine.

Spencer and Jennifer had a happy marriage and shared common beliefs and values. He was protective of her, respected her, supported her dreams and desires, and considerate when making decisions, both big and small. Throughout their marriage he cherished Jennifer, showering her with love, affection, adoration and support.

They appreciated their life together as Spencer, from a very tender age, learned to deal with his many infirmities. He was graceful about them and at peace knowing his life was in God’s hands. They were as Jennifer said, and Spencer would agree, inseparable never wanting to venture out without the other because it just wasn’t as much fun, they always supported one another, loved the Lord, and built pathways together through bad times, knowing they would grow and have more complete lives.

Throughout their marriage Spencer and Jennifer took time to travel the world and experience new places and cultures abroad and within the U.S. He was always meticulous about a well laid-out plan and reservations. She loved it unscheduled, saying it was more adventurous. Spencer loved that about her and the many adventures he said, he never would have had, but for her… “seat-of-the pants adventures.”

Spencer and Jennifer welcomed their first son Jason Spencer Danks on September 2, 1978, followed by a second son Travis William Danks on November 18, 1980. He led by example, was protective and loved completely. He wasn’t afraid to show his human side, and he was there for his sons through good times and bad. He was involved in family activities and endeavors, even when his own physical limitations made it difficult or work took him away. They knew he was always there. He was slow to anger. Quick to love and support.

He taught them life lessons of love one another, respect and appreciation for people in their lives and all things… the value of hard work. He was quiet, but when he spoke, you listened because you knew it was important or funny. He provided pathways to their future successes and happiness in life for whatever they wanted to do. All these same things he imparted in his grandchildren with loads of love and adoration. They brought him great happiness and enjoyment.

And because he was always listening, no matter what they needed -- sporting gear, fund raisers, knee braces, treats, sneakers, boots, money, more Girl Scout cookies then he could eat, love, support or cheering on, he provided without hesitation or limitation. I’ll be there… let’s go get it… I can do that… what do you need… yes, yes, yes… nothing was impossible for him to do for his beloved grandchildren.

Spencer’s biggest hobby was his family. He valued quality time with them, no matter the occasion. From cheering the boys on the sidelines of baseball and soccer fields to welcoming Julie and Chrissy into the family, he did it without hesitation and with lots of love. He enjoyed family dinners and spending time with the kids, camping, driving out to look for animals, fishing with his sons, riding quads in the desert, dancing, dance lessons, guns, shooting, and BBQs.

Spencer was easy to befriend. Non-judgmental, a good listener, understanding of life’s hardships and turmoil, and made you feel good about yourself. He was selfless and giving. You saw his constant physical struggles, yet he never complained. He always smiled and gave you appreciation and love.

Soon after marrying in 1976, Spencer went into business with Jennifer’s father working honeybees on locations throughout Southern California and, within two years, bought his own stands of bees. As a commercial beekeeper Spencer and his father-in-law, watched the predicted weather patterns and studied the history of rainfall and drought. They made feeders to hold sugar water in the beehives to sustain colonies through the fall and winter months, administered medication when needed, and perfected the queen bee development process.

Annually, depending on rainfall, they produced hundreds of 55-gallon barrels of honey, mainly buckwheat and sage honey, and through negotiated sales contracts with a New York agriculture broker, the honey crop would be shipped to Germany where the demand for honey was the greatest.

In the off-season, they negotiated crop pollination contracts in Imperial Valley for melons in the summer and Bakersfield for almond growers in early spring. Spencer was a beekeeper for ten years before selling the business, purchasing their home in Alpine, and going to work as an apprentice pipefitter for Crown Contracting (a door opened by Uncle Walt).

Through attending the ABC classes, he mastered the vocation of welding and pipefitting, and earned highly regarded certifications. He continued in that line of work for Vadnais Construction and DVY Construction Company.

In 1994 Spencer and a partner opened shop. The company specialized in industrial water and wastewater plant construction and reconstruction. They pulled together $85,000 and obtained the $300,000 construction bond needed to win a small city contract. Having found that niche, the business grew rapidly, and soon they were awarded city contracts on projects throughout Southern CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Arizona. The company grew and flourished for ten years, and at its peak had $40M in contracts and employed 150 plus employees.

In 2001, the 9/11 disaster happened resulting in a 4-year economic downturn. The company began to struggle financially due to failure of city governments to disburse progress and final project payouts. In 2004, along with so many construction companies, they were forced to close the business.

Spencer went to work for a worthy competitor he held in high regard, Orion Construction Company, as a project manager on some of the toughest, large, above-ground builds in Weymouth, La Habra, Carson SCI Tanks, and China Lake. He was placed on these projects because he always said, “I can build it – it’s easy.” He continued in Orion’s employment until a health crisis and physical disabilities forced his retirement in June 2018.

From 1989 to the time of his retirement, Spencer’s assigned projects required out-of-town travel for most, if not all, of the work week, all at great sacrifice to him and his family. He never complained as he saw the projects as an opportunity -- a means to reach the personal goals he had set for Jennifer and his family.

For those projects under his control, most were completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Over the years, he earned high praise from City officials, engineers, inspectors, and even formed bridges with those who were thought to be difficult to work alongside.

They found Spencer to be a dependable man of experience, knowledge, integrity, and honesty. A man of his word. He was passionate about the work... and he cared. He took great pride in doing things right the first time and had great patience sharing his knowledge.

To some crew members, he was known as “the fireman” because he would jump in, roll up his sleeves and help wherever and whenever called upon. He was quick to impart his knowledge and experience and always working to minimize risk and financial loss.

Spencer’s life goal was to retire and continue travelling the world with Jennifer discovering new places. He had his truck and 5th wheel rig loaded and ready to go for their next adventure.

His family found solace learning he passed on December 27, also known as Blessed Family Day… a day of feasting honoring Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ. The blessed family “placed Jesus at the center of their family life, sacrificed for one another and radiated that love to others…” For the Danks family, the blessed family represents a model and reminder for family behavior guidance.

The Danks family roots are in England. The name “Spencer” is of British origin, translated, it means provider. Spencer was the true definition of his name, always protective and always providing for his family, no matter what.

Spencer is survived by his loving family including, wife, Jennifer of 45 years, sons Jason and Travis, daughters-in-law Julie and Chrissy, grandchildren Jacey, Natalie, Weston, and a grandson due late spring 2021, and mother-in-law Joan Anderson