David Christopher Spinks 3/25/1972-4/22/2024

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Chris Spinks has died way too young after a year and a half battle with brain cancer.

Chris was the rare kind of person that was genuinely interested in those around him. If you were lucky enough to engage in conversation with Chris, he would treat you like the most important person in the world.

Raised in Kilgore, Texas, Chris had the most endearing Texas accent and sayings, only slightly watered down by 26 years of West Coast living. After attending Baylor University and Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, TX, Chris moved to Pasadena, CA to pursue a PhD in New Testament Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. In Pasadena, Chris met Gail Eddy, who was studying at Fuller’s School of Psychology, and they married in 2003. Chris and Gail moved to Eugene, OR in 2007 where Chris joined Wipf and Stock Publishers as an Acquisitions Editor.

Chris was always up for a good deep-dive into theology, ethics, or philosophy, preferably over a stirred martini and always using an Oxford comma. As brilliant as he was, Chris was never one to put on airs, living his life with humility and curiosity. He was extremely well regarded and loved by colleagues around the world in publishing.

Chris’s many friends enjoyed his epic Spotify playlists, running stats, beat-boxing skills, and fervor for Nutella. Planning travel adventures near and far, he had a gift for detailed itineraries that would make Rick Steves envious. Whatever knowledge he pursued, he generously shared his treasured research with everyone.

The greatest joy in Chris’s life was his family. He was an adoring husband, and his identity as “Papa” brought him immense fulfillment. He participated in every facet of his three sons’ lives from nighttime diaper changes to school lunches to teaching life lessons on how to be a good person every chance he got.

Chris never missed his sons’ soccer or basketball games and always showed up to yell. Whether coaching or spectating, there was no way he could sit quietly. He even managed to get a technical foul two weeks after brain surgery.

In the last few months, after cancer invaded his brain and impacted his body, his core essence of love remained. When he had no other words, he said “I love you so much” to those around him over and over. These are the last words he uttered.

Though we are heartbroken that Chris is gone, his love is still with us; and we are not left empty handed. May we love others in the way Chris loved us.

Chris’s legacy of love is passed on to many, but especially his wife Gail, sons Alex (16), Ollie (16), and Isaac (13) of Eugene, OR, his parents David and Sondra Spinks of Kilgore, TX, and his brother Brad Spinks of Charlotte, NC.

In honor of Chris and his love of sports and coaching, and in lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider making a donation in Chris’s name to kidsports.org

In addition, we have set up a memorial fund at saint-marys.org

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