Donald Merle Spike

1930 - 2024

Donald Merle Spike

October 2, 1930 - September 9, 2024

Sacramento, California - Donald Merle Spike was born Oct. 2, 1930 in Laurel, Neb. and died Sept. 9, 2024 in Sacramento.

Don was born to Walter Lars Spike, a farmer and Helen Ream Spike, a homemaker and was the first of five children. The family periodically moved around Nebraska when Don was growing up due to his father changing jobs, according to a feature article written about Don's brother Dean Spike in the Nance County Journal (Fullerton, Neb.).

After graduating from Primrose High School, Don served nearly four years of active duty in the United States Air Force during the time of the Korean War. Don was stationed in St. John's, Newfoundland in Canada and worked on planes. While in the military, Don got a middle name, as his parents hadn't given him one as a child but the military gave him the middle initial of M, which he expanded to Merle. He also learned to play guitar, helping foster a lifelong love of music.

With his first wife, Don raised four sons, Dwaine, Randy, Brian and David. Two of his sons moved to California, which spurred Don to relocate from Nebraska to the Sacramento area around the 1980s. To help support his family, Don worked a variety of jobs throughout his life. This included spending 15 years as a truck driver and working some of this time delivering automotive supplies for O'Reilly Auto Parts.

Don was known for his easygoing and kind nature, never drinking or smoking and rarely using profanity. He remained active well into his senior years, meeting his wife Lisa Carpenter Spike at a county western dance in Rancho Cordova in 2017. Up until his final years, Don enjoyed gathering with friends and loved ones to play acoustic guitar and sing at his Sacramento home. He also enjoyed planting peach and primrose trees around his property, having spent his early years on a farm near Laurel.

Don was predeceased by his parents, his brother Dean and his sons Dwaine, Brian and David. He is survived by Lisa as well as his son Randy Spike and daughter-in-law Sue Spike, who currently live near Placerville, sister Darlene Fischer of Fairmont, Neb., brother Wayne Spike of Cedar Rapids, Neb., brother Kevin Spike of Nebraska and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also remained close with his stepdaughters Lynna Fischer and Terri Sergeant, who each live in Carmichael and were the daughters of Don's second wife, Dorothy Sergeant who died some years ago.

To respect Don's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Due to his military service, his remains will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.