Fighting Cancer & Leading the Parade
On July 29th, he'll turn 62. But on July 3rd, he was 2 years old – that day marked the second anniversary of the bone marrow transplant that gave him a new chance at life. Jake watched the fireworks from the deck of his sisters' house on the 3rd, which was a spectacular way to celebrate.
William Jacob Spencer was born July 29, 1954, and has lived on Ocracoke all his life. His parents, Lydia Frieda and Bill Spencer, also had four daughters, so Jake is lucky enough to have two older sisters (Nancy and Christine) and two younger (Sara and Elaine). He's also got aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, third cousins, and more on the island. He's pretty much related to everyone with deep Ocracoke roots.
Jake graduated from Ocracoke School in 1975 along with Howard Tolson, Michael O'Neal, Rena Garrish, and Kathy Hutcherson. After working in construction, at Howard's Pub, and at the fish house, Jake started working for the National Park Service maintenance department in 1979. He was the caretaker at the NPS campground for thirty-four years, and still has friends and fans among the campers who come back to Ocracoke.
Jake was well-known in his younger days for riding his three-wheeled bike through the village, with his boombox in the basket, blasting country music. And many people will remember "Jake's Pool Hall" – an island institution, even though it was basically a shed with a pool table. Jake's friends came there after work to hang out, shoot pool, and drink a little beer. In later years, they took up the less strenuous hobby of working puzzles.
He came home sick from work one day in November of 2013, and never went back. That week he was diagnosed with leukemia. In July of 2014, the donor registry located his perfect match: an assistant school principal in Michigan named Margaret Shultz, who had joined the registry in honor of a friend.
"We're so thankful for his donor," his family said.
Jake's family has gotten in touch with his donor to express their gratitude. "A lot of people back out when they get called to donate," Sara said. "There is a lot to being a donor and not everyone goes through with it." They hope that one day Margaret and her family can come and visit Ocracoke so they can meet. "She did so much for Jake, and we're glad she was blessed with healthy twin boys two months ago," Sara said.
As for Jake, the diagnosis, treatment, and transplant were painful, but "he's a trooper." Lydia Frieda smiled and told him, "You're too tough, Jakie!"
He has had to be tough. Born with a cleft palate, Jake had several surgeries as a child. In the midst of fighting cancer, he also developed neuropathy caused by his chemotherapy treatment. It has affected his balance, and now he can't really be left alone.
Sara tends to Jake during the week at Lydia Frieda's house; Elaine takes over on the weekends, but most of all, Jake's mom is his biggest caregiver, looking after him day and night. Nancy, who's dealing with her own health problems, comes to visit him and Lydia Frieda every day. Occasionally, he gets a chance to stay with his sister Christine off the island. These women make sure he stays well: they encourage him to eat, make him exercise, mix his liquids with Thick-It so he won't aspirate, and keep him company.
Jake enjoys watching TV and doing word search puzzles ("thousands of them"). He still enjoys a chance to ride his 3-wheeled bike, and likes to visit the NPS campground to see if he knows any campers from the old days.
Woody Billings volunteered to drive Jakie in the 4th of July Parade. "It's an honor," he said.
Jakey looked festive and patriotic in his red, white, and blue shirt and hat. He waved to the crowds from Woody's golf cart.
The family said it was "so exciting for him." Many people have told them how happy they were to see Jakie in the parade.
Ocracoke's 4th of July parade has a Grand Marshal every year. It's a special honor and a fun way to highlight a treasured community member.
