James Spencer

James Dewey "Jake" Spencer, age 70, of Owosso, MI passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Memorial Healthcare, Owosso.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Corunna Chapel Corunna, MI on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Edward Schweikert officiating. Burial will take place at Wilkinson Cemetery, Venice Township, MI. Visitation will be held Tuesday April 10, 2012 from 2-8 PM with family present 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the funeral home.

Jake was born in Owosso, Michigan on December 29, 1941, the son of Dewey Samuel and Lillian E. (Gurden) Spencer. Jake resided most of his life in the Owosso area and graduated from Owosso High School with the class of 1960. On May 25, 1963 he married Joyce Ann Compton at the Corunna United Methodist Church.

Jake worked at his family's gas station, Sanders and Spencers Mobil Service as a teenager then after graduation he worked at Shapiro Auto Parts for 25 years and then Car Quest for 18 years, before retiring in 2004. He built race cars for many years and had raced at Owosso Speedway, Auto City and Dixie Speedway in Flint and in Ohio. Working on and restoring old vehicles were his favorite pastimes.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Spencer of Owosso, MI, children; Ronald and Michele Spencer of Ovid, MI, Shelley and Todd Watkins of Henderson, MI, Cory Spencer of Owosso, MI, grandchildren; Dale Spencer, Justin & Paige Watkins, and 2 sisters; Nancy and Walter Hawkins of Florida, and Sue Anne and Al Walworth of Pickney, MI. Jake is also survived by many nieces, nephews, special friends, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Corunna Chapel, Corunna, Michigan.

Read James Spencer's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.