Ronald (Ron) Edward Spencer 1957 to 2016

Ronald Edward Spencer, born May 18, 1957, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, passed away on Feb. 12, 2016, at his home with his wife Tami by his side.

Ron is survived by his wife Tami Spencer, their children and spouses Sandi Ferretti (Jim), Lee Spencer (Ashley) and Stephani Mongelli (Matt). He was loved by his five grandchildren Leland and Alli Spencer, Lilli Ferretti, and Kyler and Bryson Mongelli. His Mom Esther Spencer and sisters and their spouses Tammy Spencer O’Connor (Richard) and Cheryl Knobeloch (Adam) will always remember his outgoing and friendly nature. He will be greatly missed by his nephews and niece, Griffin, Cassandra and Ethan Knobeloch. His extended family will miss him dearly and includes his Aunt Norma Stubbs and her family in Arizona, his Aunt Doreen McCormick and her family in the Cambridge, Ontario, Canada area and his Aunt Sylvie and the Chisholm family in Florida. His father Ronald (Ron) Leyden Spencer predeceased his son Ron.

Ronnie, as he was known as a child, moved with his family from Canada to the United States in 1967 when he was 10 years old. In the United States the Spencer family first lived in Wisconsin, later in North Carolina and then in Oregon.

Ron graduated from Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon in 1975 and from Portland State University in 1980 with a BS in Business Administration.

He married his wife Tami in 1983 in a small ceremony at the Oaks Pioneer Church and honeymooned in San Diego and Anaheim, California.

Ron was an avid and lifelong bowler, beginning in Wisconsin when he was nine years old. He coached junior bowling, which included kids from five to eighteen for twenty-six years, including his children and two of his grandchildren Alli and Lilli. Throughout his life he loved working with children. Ron enjoyed bowling and was proud of his highest game, which was 298.

He was an enthusiastic sports fan, and followed his favorite teams the Green Bay Packers, The Portland WinterHawks and the North Carolina Tarheels. He also enjoyed cheering on Nascar driver Jeff Gordon. You would frequently find Ron at Dukes Bar and Grill, home of the Packer Backers fan club.

Over the years he collected a variety of memorabilia, including airplanes and trucks. Ron was outgoing and made friends easily.

Ron worked at Consolidated Freightways (CF) in the Management Accounting Department from 1982 to 2002, until CF filed bankruptcy. He later worked in the Engineering Department as a Documentation Specialist for Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner) from 2004 to 2014.

He was also an officer of the Portland Freightways Club for twenty years. The club provided activities and events for employees and their families as well as holiday charity gifts for families in need.

Ron battled cancer for almost a year and a half. The weekend before he passed away the family gathered at his and Tami’s home to celebrate his Mother’s birthday. Ron loved family gatherings.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Ron and is open to his friends and family.

Sunday, March 6
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
East Portland Moose Lodge
16411 NE Halsey Street
Portland, Oregon 97320

The family is encouraging Ron’s family and friends to consider a gift to the Sparrow Club USA, which connects medically fragile kids with 7th graders who volunteer and fundraise to support these families with financial assistance in Oregon and Southwest Washington. To make an online donation visit sparrowclubusa.org and type Ron Spencer under additional information.

Ron will be greatly missed by family, co-workers and friends, including his colleagues at Daimler, fellow bowlers, and The Portland Winterhawks board and booster club members.