David John “DJ” Spence Jr. passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020. Born in Arlington, Texas, on April 15, 1992, DJ, as he was fondly known, is survived by his loving parents, Karyn and Dave Spence, and his two younger siblings, Haley Spence and Ryan Spence. He is also survived by his Aunt Donna Sittmann (Gerry), Aunt Karen Simmons, Uncle Bill Miller (Silke) and six cousins, Brooke (Craig), Blair (Scott), Kurt (Madison), Kyle, Kelsey and Trevor. DJ was predeceased by his grandmother, Roberta “Bobbi” Miller, and by his maternal uncle, Stephen Simmons.
DJ was very kind-hearted, always easy going, and he truly loved to laugh. He enjoyed sports, specifically football, and he loved nothing more than being on the football field with his friends while growing up in Texas. DJ played slot receiver on his varsity high school football team, the Legacy Broncos. He was a loyal teammate with a gift for encouraging and motivating others, both on the field and in life. DJ was a diehard Texan, a true Dallas Cowboys fan, and he loved attending games with his Dad. He enjoyed quality time with his family, going to opening nights of Star Wars movies with his brother, Ryan, and tailgating at South Carolina football games with his family and friends. DJ shared a close bond with all of his cousins, and he was always full of jokes.
DJ loved his mother’s home cooking, holidays with his extended family, summers at his Grandma’s beach house, and trips to the boardwalk with his siblings and cousins. He loved his friends, live music, college football, the Wisconsin Badgers, and days on Lake Norman with his family. He teased his siblings endlessly, but was also fiercely protective of them, and their success was his greatest joy. DJ had an ability to make people feel good about themselves. He believed strongly in the goodness of others and second chances for everyone. Enduringly positive and endearingly mischievous, he’ll be eternally remembered for his lightness of spirit and his ability to make others laugh.
DJ will be remembered as a true friend and a loving son and brother. He will be missed in life, but never ever forgotten in our hearts.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Asheville Recovery Center, 9 Old Burnsville Hill Road # 7, Asheville, NC 28804, would be greatly appreciated.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Spence family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.