PEABODY – Mr. Arthur G. Spanks Jr., 93, of Peabody, formerly of Salem, beloved husband of the late Marilyn (Powers) Spanks, died peacefully, Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at the David James Hospice wing of the Bedford VA Hospital.

Born in Rockport, he was the son of the late Arthur G. Sr. and Elizabeth (Griffin) Spanks. He was raised and educated in Lynn and attended Lynn Public Schools earning his G.E.D.

An honorably discharged veteran, He enlisted at the age of 16 and served his country as a member of the United States Airforce during the Korean War. He re-enlisted and served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Airforce during the Vietnam War. He dedicated over 9 years of his life to military service specifically as crew chief and engineer on twin engine type aircraft as well as B-29's, B-50's and C-130 aircraft. The quality of his work was commended as "outstanding" by his superior officers. For his dedication he was awarded the Airforce Longevity Service Award.

Following his discharge in 1958, he married the love of his life, his beloved wife Marilyn, and they started a home life. Mr. Spanks dedicated over 40 years to working at the General Electric Company until the time of his retirement. He also worked at Beverly Airport, fixing, building and flying airplanes.

A loving husband, father, gramps and big gramps, he worked hard to support his ever-growing family and usually maintained multiple jobs to provide them a good life. He was a long-time resident of Salem and raised his family on Arbella Street and was a dedicated member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Salem. Air flight was in his blood and airplanes were his passion. If he couldn't fly the big ones, he was making the small model planes and flying those. He had a great collection of model planes and trains that he enjoyed. Spending countless hours meticulously constructing them and painting them. Over the course of his long life, Arthur owned at least 7 air planes and flew these aircraft out of Beverly Airport. He felt most a peace in the friendly skies and shared this passion with his family. He made many lifelong friends through a shared love of air flight.

Arthur lived a life of devotion. Devotion to his wife and family, devotion to his country and its freedoms and devotion to his passion of flying and planes. Living a life of devotion wholly; to all that you love; was a great foundation in which he laid for the generations to follow. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Arthur is survived by his daughters, Jane Murphy of Danvers and Susan Luz and her husband, Robert of Florida, his son, Russell Cobb and his wife, Mary of Woburn, his grandchildren, Brendan Murphy and his wife, Mackenzie of Danvers and their children, Carter and Scarlett, Ryan Murphy and his wife, Jessica and their children, Ronan, Emilia, Harrison and Desmond, Tom Cobb and his wife Terri of Peabody, Brian Cobb and his wife, Melanie of Virginia, Peter Cobb and his wife Kaitlin of Danvers and their son, Brandon, Joseph Cobb of SC, Laura Sousa and her husband, David of Woburn and their sons, Nathan and Jacob, Jonathan Cobb and his wife, Rachael of Danvers and their children, Jace and Maeve, William Kocur Jr. of Salem, David Kocur and his wife, Kendra of Derry, NH and their children, Nichol, Payton and Jake, Michael Kocur and his wife, Katie of Burling ton and their daughter, Shayla, Melanie Carubia and her husband, Kevin of Ipswich and their children, Jacob and Aaron, Christopher Crosby of Georgetown, Eric Luz and his wife, Patti of Wachusett and their children, Tommy, Amy, Brian, Sean and Kevin, Debbie Dalgewicz and her husband, Kirk of Florida, two great-great grandchildren, Henry and Caden, his son in law, Bill Kocur Sr. and his wife, Dru of Danvers, his brother, Roger Spanks of Lynn and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Nancy Kocur and Kathi Crosby and brother of the late Alan Richard Spanks, Judith Gaulin and Norman Spanks.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Friday, Sept 13th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edith Nourse Hospital, C/O David James Hospice Unit 2C, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans' Hospital
Bedford MA
Web: http://www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate