Joseph Spencer

Joseph Fred Spencer was born June 1, 1929 in Conover, North Carolina and passed away October 8, 2010 in Visalia, California. It is with aching sadness that we let him go. It is with profoundly grateful hearts that we treasure the time we shared with him. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Spencer whom he adored. He is survived by his children and their families, daughter Victoria Haus with Nicholas Haus, and grandchildren Sage Haus with Hannah Rogers and Jilly, Spencer Haus with Cathleen Haus and Logan, and Caleb Haus, daughter Cynthia Spencer with Randy Dix, and grandchildren Michael Castro with Andrea Castro and Grace, Jennifer Barber with Casey Barber and Audrey, daughter Maria Loveless with Jack Loveless, and grandchildren Lauren Loveless with Nathaniel Hand, and Amy Loveless, daughter Valerie Lynch with Dennis Lynch, and grandchildren Jake Lynch, and Hannah Lynch, and daughter of the heart Cheryl Avila. Joseph was preceded in death by his sister Marceline Weikel whom he admired for her strength of character, and is survived by his other sister Dixie Radcliffe whom he admired for her joyful spirit. He is survived by Katherine Inostroza whom he considered to be his best friend. The children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and loved ones know what it is to be cherished greatly and will endeavor to follow the wonderful example set before them.

This loving family began when Joseph met Helen while in the Army and was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, California. They married and moved to Fresno where Joseph earned his B.A. in Criminology from Fresno State University. He promptly got a job with the Fresno Probation Department, and later worked for the California Youth Authority as a Parole Agent. His last job was with the State of California Youthful Offender Parole Board as a Board Coordinating Parole Agent. He worked in that capacity of law enforcement until he retired. He was such an intelligent and diligent worker that two people were hired to take over his job upon retirement.

Retirement did not slow him down and he continued to golf, garden, read, enjoy his grandchildren’s sporting events, school programs, and support all the members of his family in all ways possible. It is difficult to sum up in so few words the impact of an individual like Joseph. He was so many things to so many people. His parents Fred and Edna Spencer were proud to have him as their son, because he not only met their expectations of a son they could be proud of, but exceeded those expectations by leaving a legacy of love and unfailing commitment to family.

Graveside services will be held at the Visalia Cemetery on Saturday, October 16, at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 340 W. Fallbrook Ave. Suite 101, Fresno, CA. 93711 in memory of Joseph Spencer.