Alfred (Al) (Mack) Spinks, 89, Lt Commander U.S. Navy (Retired) of The Villages, FL passed away on January 7th, 2018 at the Ocala Health and Rehabilitation Center, Ocala FL.
Born on November 11, 1928 in Fort Mill, SC, Al never let opportunity pass him by and accomplished so much during his life. He began his Navy career at the young age of 14. He was highly decorated (Bronze Star twice with V device for Valor) and served in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Among his highlights, he was in the first graduating class of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit in 1947. He served with Navy EOD, Underwater Demolition Teams and Seal Operations. Al was a proud member of the VUMS (Veterans of Underage Military Service).
After his retirement from the Navy, he formed his own company, SAS Marine Services. One of his highlight achievements was directing the search and investigation of the Challenger Shuttle accident, 1986.
Al was a member of the Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Association, the Navy UDT-Seal Museum, The American Legion Post 347, and the Military Officers Association of America. Al was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10126 and the American Veterans. Al was also a member of the Villages Recreational Vehicle Club.
He is survived by his loving wife, Joann (Jo); his children: son, Rick (Cindy) Spinks; daughter, Debi (David) Broome; his brother, Ray (Gary) Spinks; step daughter, Laura (Rory) Riley; step sons: Gary (Irene) Hendershot, Ken (Cheryl) Trousdale and Joe (Darcy) Trousdale. Al is survived by his grandchildren: Amanda (John) Porzio, Madaline Spinks, Heather Chenkus, Nikki Chenkus, Lindsay (Joseph) Collins and Casey (Erica) Broome. Al also shared grandchildren with his wife Jo: Matthew, Amy, Joey, Vincent and Mikey Trousdale, Sarah Dombroski and Jessica and Eric Riley. Al also had many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey N. and Lula (Watford) Spinks; brother, Tommy Spinks; sisters: Helen (Monk) Benfield and Hallie (Junior) Funderburk.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Garden Worship Center, 12740 SE County Highway 484, Belleview, FL 34420, 352-245-0809. Private services for Al will follow at a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL and at the UDT- Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Al’s honor to the Hospice of Marion County FL @www.hospiceofmarion.com, The Honor Flight Organization of American Legion Post 347 @www.villageshonorflight.org, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Central and North Florida Chapter @ www.alz.org/cnfl.
