In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 24, 2019, Shannon J. Spencer drifted peacefully away in his sleep of natural causes in Bozeman, Montana. He was born June 12, 1971 in Helena, Montana, where he lived his whole life.
Shannon graduated from Helena High School and entered adulthood as a proud Marine. He traveled to seventeen countries during his term of service. He served honorably in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While serving he developed a large brain tumor that resulted in him having a metal plate in his head which, much to his amusement, would set off the security alarms every time he entered Home Depot. He spent many years working with his Dad as the Foreman for Spencer Concrete. He also worked at Respond, an emergency medical supply distributor. Shannon was a rescue diver for Lewis & Clark County Search and Rescue. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the JFC, Impact Montana, the Marine Corps League, and a founding member of the Wolf Pack. For the last decade he dedicated himself to serving and assisting Veterans, most recently as a Veteran Employment Coordinator for the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. His work helping veterans began with his involvement in Volunteers of America, where he won an award in 2015 for his “work ethic and endless caring for our nation’s veterans”. In 2017 he was one of a select few in the nation that was awarded the U.S. Secretary of the VA Coin by U.S. Secretary David Shulkin. The prestigious coin acknowledged Shannon’s work in consistently going above and beyond in providing continuing service to Montana veterans. U.S. Senator Jon Tester attended to personally congratulate Shannon.
Shannon had two children with Michelle Lee Olson, his first wife. Kaitlin Jay was born in 1994, whom Shannon nicknamed Sis, and Jesse Lee was born in 1996, who Shannon called LB. He loved his kids, sharing with them all he had and all he had to teach. Kaitlin knows her story telling ability (or actually lack of ability) comes from her father. She’ll forever cherish a 2006 hunting trip where, after having long- prepared for her first season, when Kaitlin finally got a bull in her site she started shaking and realized she didn’t want the bull to die. Despite being an avid hunter, when Shannon’s daughter decided the bull should live, he honored her wishes. Jesse’s favorite memories of his Dad include paint-balling the shed, responding to the dog’s injury when it attacked a firework, the time Shannon decided to trim his eyebrows and accidentally shaved them off entirely, and the time his Dad was carving Jesse’s elk and claimed he had found Jesse’s bullet, tossing it to him so quick when Jesse opened his hand he realized he was holding elk poop.
After many years of friendship, in 2010 due to Shannon’s persistence Candi realized they might be in a relationship. Neither having remembered when they had actually started spending all their time together, they decided to do a “pick a date” to identify when they began. The date chosen was March 11, 2010. On July 13, 2013 Shannon and Candi were married in front of friends and family at the Little Red School House on the outskirts of Helena. Shannon loved his life partner and wife, whom he affectionately called “Turbo”. What sticks most with Candi was Shannon’s big heart, his goofy humor, his loyalty and the depth with which he cared for people and animals. He was not good with money but that’s because there’s nothing he valued more than friends, family, and those in need. There’s was a love that ran deep, was forgiving of antics and flaws, was bound by a commitment to one another and a generosity to others, and was sprinkled with laughter and joy.
He loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, jeep mudding, boating, floating, horseshoes, and wrestling. He was a prankster, causing decades of laughter and memories among those lucky enough to have known him.
Though Shannon was known for adventures and calamities, he was an adrenaline fueled softie. Shannon had a generous heart. He would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. He loved helping veterans. He had matching tattoos with his father Chuck, and his Uncle Jay – all of them Marines – that were very meaningful to him. He had a hero’s instinct as a diver, as a husband and father, and as a friend. The passing of his mother when he was in his twenties took a piece of him and it warms hearts to know they are together again.
He loved his many friends and large family, having always been surrounded by many. He was an animal lover, so much so that his yellow lab Ruger joined him on his travels to the hereafter one day later.
Shannon was preceded in death by his mother Billie Ann Spencer, his cousin James Lain, his Uncle and Aunt Rod & Shirley Johnson, his Aunts Joan Spencer and Marilee Johnson, his grandparents Bill and Ann Sanders and Pat and Oliver Spencer, and his cousins Kirk and Kent Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife Candice Curriero Spencer, his children Kaitlin Jay Spencer and Jesse Lee Spencer, his parents Charles J. and Janice Spencer, his sister Stacy Konkol (Josh) and their children Brayden, Zayne, Kaysen, and Jayce. He is also survived by his step sister Ashleigh Heimbach, his Aunt Jan Hanson Dell, Uncle Jay Howard, Uncle Ron Johnson (Sue), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.
The service will be held at Helena First Assembly of God Church at 2210 Dodge Ave. in Helena on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with reception to immediately follow. The burial service will be at Fort Harrison on Monday, December 2nd at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends will gather afterward at the East Helena VFW. Memorials in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Shannon “Shan” Spencer Memorial Fund for Veterans at Montana Joining Community Forces P.O. Box 4417 Helena MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 2, 2019
Helena First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Monday December 2, 2019
Fellowship hall of the church
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday December 2, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 2, 2019
Helena First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Monday December 2, 2019
Fellowship hall of the church
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday December 2, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Dan A says
I worked with Shan and am a fellow Marine. Sorry to see his passing way too soon at age 48. Fair winds and following seas, my friend.
Sherryl Vaughn says
Jack and I are so sorry. Shannon was a great guy! Always made us laugh when he and Chuck would come to the V…so sad..prayers to Chuck, candy and the family!
Karen Houston says
Chuck: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP Shannon.
Rob Bird says
I am so sorry Candi. Let me know how I can help.
Ron Boswell says
I was so sorry to hear of this. Shannon and I went thru some ruff times with each other but mainly fun joyful times. He always had a smile to greet you! He will truly be missed!
I pray that God will lay his guiding hands on his family and friends during this difficult time.
RIP my Friend!
Sharlo Leonard says
I am at a loss for words. From the first time I met him, I knew Candi had found a one-in-a-million man. I am so sad that he had to leave everyone who loved him so early in his life. RIP Shannon.
Mark Jankowski says
Rest easy brother! Thank you for all the memories! We had a hell of a time in high school, always gettin me in trouble for laughing in pottery of all things! And my nickname which you called me to the end “Janks!” You will be missed my great friend! The world has lost one of the great ones! See you when I get there!
Sara Cease says
Shan was just the best! He will be missed! I have had the honor of working with him as a part of Montana Joining Community Forces. Always one for a smile and a wink! His sense of humor and caring will be missed by those he worked with and his community for sure! Big hugs to his family and close friends.
tim achter says
Shannon and I were good friends when he grew up in mc hugh park.sorry for ur loss.he was an amazing person fly high w the angels bro u will b missed.god bless.
Donna scheffel chapman malik says
Dear Chuck and family,
May the Lord Jesus Christ comfort you at this difficult time. Shannon’s premature passing takes great faith to cope. We pray that our great God will give all of you and especially the children grace to walk through this difficult time. Also, please accept our deepest appreciation and respect for Shannon’s service to the greatest country on earth and to his service to his fellow vets.
With our sincerest sympathy,
Debbie, Donna, John Chapman and family
Shane McGuire says
8:30am my phone rings “SHANE… YOU GOTTA COME DRIVE DUDE! NOW!” and so I went to sun river, pointed a side by side toward the finish line and floored it (Shan’s was faster of course). I went because any day with Shan and was going to be filled with smiles ans laughter. I went because Shan would get up at 2am and drive 1.5hrs to help me if I asked. He and Candi crashed our family reunion, which would have been awkward for most, but having found himself amongst several career soldiers marines he did as much visiting as I did, only with better stories. He was invited back. To a family reuion. Of a family he didnt belong to. Thats Shan… I love you dude. Thank you for being a friend while you were here.
Andersen, Dirk says
I also was a rescue diver with the Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue and just love his company. He was a wonderful man to be around and a great guy to go on dive missions with. I will miss him very much. God’s Blessings and comfort to the family and friends of a very decent, good and caring individual.
Mike Adams says
Shannon was always a smiling face and fun to be around. I can honestly say I don’t remember him upset. This is way too early to leave this world, but I’m glad you passed peacefully. To read the above words doesn’t suprise me a bit. Shannon was a class act. Rest in peace brother.
Peter T. Rehmann says
Shannon (Shan), Always enjoyed seeing, working w/you @ VBA. Super good guy. Keep an eye on us from above.
Chip Hall says
I always enjoyed running in to Shannon. No matter where it was he always had time to chat and catch up. Just a good guy!
Kerry Patton says
Happened to be looking at the Obits in the IR by chance from our home in Missoula, and ran across Shannon’s. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, but we grew up a few doors apart in a tight neighborhood so I was nonetheless shocked to see this.
I’ll always remember that smile, and just what a friendly and loyal dude he was. Not to mention all the adventures riding bikes everywhere, and building rafts in the swamps that used to occupy nature park at the end of Elm Street.
It’s just crazy to be thinking of a person you haven’t talked to or seen in forever and then something like this happens. I will be hugging my family tighter today. From my family to yours, so sorry for this way too early loss and your pain. All blessings to his wife and children.
RIP Brother
Trina Filan says
I had the honor for several years of working with Shan during the Point-in-Time survey of people experiencing homelessness. Shan was dedicated to finding and helping people living in extreme and challenging circumstances, and he did not waver from that goal when his work became difficult. I have the utmost respect for Shan and his good heart. My deepest condolences to his family and his peers, and a prayer of thanks for his soul’s next journey.
Cindy Erickson says
Candi – I’m so sorry to hear of your loss! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of you!
Jim & Denise Backstrom says
`Shannon was a fun loving person. He will be missed. The “birthday” won’t be the same in the years to come.
Semperfi Marine.
Jill & Joe Cohenour says
Candi and family- Sending you much love and strength. We loved you and then met your love. We loved him, too. He was definitely the other half of you. That part of him is still with you and will be for your whole life. He added so much to so many lives in the short time he was here. You know he is up there trying to figure out how to pull off a “Shan” caper or whether he can still punk his friends. He will be missed but his spirit lives in everything and everyone he touched. Love you much!
Tom Dolan says
Played horseshoes with Shannon and Chuck. He was very competitive and we always had fun. He will be missed!
Sorry for your loss.
Sammy says
He will be truly missed. Always had a great outlook on life. Loved to laugh and have a good time. Rest easy my friend.
RK says
I’m so very sorry for your loss.