Darrell Franklin Spence

Darrell Franklin Spence

February 7, 1955 – August 26, 2023

Born February 7, 1955, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Long Beach CA to parents John & Revelta (Butcher) Spence. Darrell, along with siblings Dennis Spence, Dannyell Miller, Darla (Miller) Barnett, grew up in Long Beach, CA. Darrell attended and graduated from Jordan High School, Long Beach CA in 1973. That same year, Darrell enlisted in the U.S. Army assigned to the 82nd Airborne out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He was later transferred to Scofield Barracks, Hawaii. Darrell served 3 years of active duty.

After the Army, Darrell returned to Long Beach in 1976 and started working for his parent’s furniture store before getting a job at Shell Oil Company. That fall he met and started dating Pamela (Higginson) Spence. They got married on September 26, 1980, in a small ceremony at their shared home in Long Beach.

In 1980, through a mutual friend, Darrell and Pam both started working for Northrop Corporation (later becoming Northrop Grumman), in their tooling department. After the birth of their daughter Rachell (Spence) Coffee, Pam left Northrop, and they later had 3 sons, Matthew Spence, Joshua Spence, and Michael Spence. Darrell continued to work for Northrop Grumman, working his way up from the tooling department to scheduling, and program manager, working on a variety of projects including the B-2 Bomber, Advance Tactical Fighter F-22, F-18 Fighter Jet, F-35 Lightning II, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Darrell retired from Northrop Grumman in July of 2021 after over 40 years.

Darrell was active and volunteered with many organizations throughout his adult years, serving as PTA president at his children’s elementary school, Chaplain for RFC (Racers for Christ), Chaplain for Black Sheep, as well as ministries at his and his wife’s church. He also enjoyed many hobbies in his lifetime and through retirement, including NHRA drag racing, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fixing up old cars, trips to the shooting range with his sons, and many other activities. Though most of all, Darrell enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as the many friends he had throughout his life.

While in the VA hospital several days before his passing, Darrell was interviewed for a project with Veterans titled “My Life, My Story.” Darrell said the following: “My Life Lesson is that knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior was the key.  It has helped me through the tough times and the good times. Without Jesus Christ in my life, I would not have made it to where I am today, it’s all God’s plan that I am sick and it’s hard when you have kids and grandkids but I am content. I lived a very good life. I can’t complain. I have been very blessed. The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord – it’s hard to leave my family though.”

Darrell passed in his home on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Darrell is survived by his loving wife of over 42 years Pamela (Higginson) Spence, his children Rachell (Spence) Coffee, Matthew Spence, Joshua Spence, and Michael Spence, as well as his 4 grandchildren Micah Coffee, Noelle Coffee, Audrey Coffee, and Ryan Spence. He was preceded in death by his father John Spence, mother Revelta (Butcher) Miller, brother Dennis Spence, and two of his children, a set of twins, who died in childbirth Andrew Spence & Jacob Spence.

A celebration of life service to honor and remember Darrell Spence will be held Saturday September 30, 2023 at 2:00pm at Florence Avenue Foursquare Church at 11457 Florence Avenue, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Darrell’s honor to Three Rivers Christian School ( www.3riversschool.net/online-payment/ ), an organization that meant a great deal to him.