Obituary: Harold Arthur “Art” Spencer

Beloved Scott Valley veterinarian Harold Arthur “ Art “ Spencer, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on July 9, 2026.

Art was born on October 28, 1939, in Whittier, California, to Harold F. and Pauline E. (Terpstra) Spencer. He attended and graduated elementary and high schools in Whittier. Art was president of the Whittier Cardinal Band his senior year and selected to be the Drum Major for the year and the band was honored to march in the Rose Parade that year. In his youth, he excelled in Horse Performance competitions, receiving many awards.

Art enrolled at University of California, Davis majoring in Animal Science. Upon graduating with his Bachelor of Science in 1962, he was accepted as a Veterinarian Doctorate candidate at UC Davis. Art received his Doctorate degree in 1966. While in high school, he met his first wife, Carole Ann Compton and married in 1962. They were blessed with two children, John Scott, Julie Ann, and later adopting Kathleen (Kathi) Elizabeth.

Art began his veterinarian career at Watsonville Veterinary Clinic and later at Beck & Cook’s Modesto Veterinary Clinic. In 1968, the Spencer Family purchase a beautiful cattle ranch on the east side of Scott Valley. Art began airplane pilot school in March 1971 and obtained his license in 1973. He often flew from Ceres to the family’s ranch to visit and work cattle. It was handy having a veterinarian in the family. In 1979, Art sold his veterinarian practice in Ceres and moved to Winston, Oregon with his family. He was the pastor at the Emmanuel Baptist Church until 1981. Art was a devout Christian, who led many people to Christ over his lifetime. He loved conducting Bible studies, spending many hours studying and preparing to share his knowledge of the gospel with others.

1981 found Art back in beautiful Scott Valley, joining Dr. Steven Wikse in his veterinary practice in Fort Jones. Shortly there after, Dr. Wikse moved to Texas, leaving Dr. Spencer to purchased the Veterinary hospital and business.

Art soon settled into serving the people and animals of his new home, practicing large and small animal medicine. For many years, he was on call or serving emergencies, nights and weekends. This did not make for an easy life, but he was dedicated to his patients. He traveled to many out of the way places such as, Salmon River, Coffee Creek, Klamath River, and Trinity Lake. He had so many clients and patients all along the Klamath River, that he established a monthly trip to many points along the river, all the way to Happy Camp. The residents of these areas were very grateful for his dedication.

Art met Dana Garcia at the Scott Valley Animal Hospital, where she assisted him in practice and a fondness evolved, resulting in their marriage on July 20, 1991. They enjoyed traveling to Jack Russell Terrier trials, where their beloved terriers won many awards in conformation and competitive events, such as racing and go-to-ground. Later they packed mules and took terriers for adventures in the wilderness areas of Russian and Trinity Alps, also the Marble Mountains.