David Spencer

David Carl Spencer, 81, of Mountain Home, passed away Friday, March 28, 2014, surrounded by family.

David was born Aug. 7, 1932, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Herbert and Diantha Spencer. David was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Nampa High School in 1950.

While attending school in Nampa, he met the love of his life, Lois Wolfe. David fell in love with Lois when she rollerskated by him; she was 11 and he was 12. He waited to ask her out until she was 15 and allowed to date.

David and Lois were married in March 24, 1951. They were married 54 years when Lois passed away in 2005. They were blessed to have four children.

David and Lois settled in the Lone Star area west of Nampa, where they worked side by side on their large family farm. David's brother-in-law, Ernie (Mary Spencer) Rupert, was his mentor and gave him a solid foundation in farming. David was proud to be nominated Young Farmer of the Year in 1962.

In 1967, while continuing to farm in Nampa, David cleared 400 acres of sagebrush, including 160 acres of "desert entry" ground south of Mountain Home. Eventually, he was farming nearly 4,000 acres south of Mountain Home and near Bruneau.

In 1972, they sold the Nampa farm and moved to Mountain Home where they continued to farm for another ten years.

David served on several committees and boards throughout his farming career, including the Amalgamated Sugar Growers board of directors and the Elmore County Labor Board.

In 1982, David and Lois quit farming and together started very successful second careers in real estate, where they both won several top producer awards. Staying true to his roots, however, David wore cowboy boots his entire life.

David was an active parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. He loved hauling his children around to participate in Little Britches and high school rodeos.

He was always saddling a horse, and cherished the time spent teaching life lessons or telling stories.

David continued to give that support to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as a spectator at their many events and always showed interest in whatever the "kids" happened to be doing. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly the light of his life.

He treasured large family reunions and was often instigator of many water fights and practical jokes. David was known to say, "We don't shake hands in this family," then gave that person a hug, instead. His "oh boy" kisses and lawnmower-train rides will be missed.

David was extremely kind and compassionate with strangers. He always helped someone in need.

David is survived by: his daughters, Susan English and Becky (Terry) Shaw of Mountain Home; his sons, Jeff (Jane) of Eagle and Brett (Joan) of Star; 25 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents, Herbert and Diantha Spencer, and his four sisters, Esther (Mrs. Earl) Gundersen, Mary (Mrs. Ernest) Rupert, Anna (Mrs. Francis) Scharfen, and Myrtle (Mrs. Don) Doty, and his grandson-in-law, David Freer.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. South, Nampa. Internment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell.

To share a memory of David or to offer condolences to David's family, please visit www.alsipfuneralchapel.com