Spencer, Earl L.

Earl L. “Pete” Spencer, USAF

February 27, 1941 – March 6, 2021

GALLIPOLIS — Earl L. “Pete” Spencer, age 80 of Gallipolis, went to heaven Saturday evening March 6, 2021 from Holzer Medical Center. Born February 27, 1941 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Marvin and Sarah Berry Spencer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Gomer and Randall Spencer, and sister Virginia Russell.

Pete was a loving husband, dad, and papaw. His first job was at Evans’ Grocery in Gallipolis, later to become a store manager for Penny Fare in Gallipolis and Huntington, West Virginia. He owned and operated a general store in Centerpoint, Ohio while also driving school bus for the Gallia County Local Schools. Pete went to work for OVEC/Kyger Creek Power Plant in 1973 and retired as the coal yard superintendent in 2002. He was also a certified electrician.

A proud Vietnam veteran, Pete joined the United States Air Force in 1965 and was honorably discharged as a flight engineer in 1967, serving 3 years in both Vietnam and Thailand. During this time, he was involved in numerous rescue missions on Jolly Green Giant helicopters. Pete served on the Gallia County Veterans Service Commission and was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was also a member of the VFW, DAV, and American Legion. Pete was always honored to volunteer for military funeral details and parades.

Pete and his wife Jean attended First Baptist Church in Gallipolis and he was baptized in 2009. They enjoyed traveling all around the United States. He was an avid gardener and hunter and was always lending a helping hand to neighbors, family, and friends.

Pete is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean. He was the father of two children, Sharon Spencer and Tim Spencer, both of Oak Hill, Ohio. Pete helped raise two stepdaughters, Donna (Matthew) Muller of Gallipolis, and Debra Davison of Jackson, Ohio, grandchildren Lindsay Spencer and LeAnn Spencer, and great-grandchildren Braden Marcum and Shaylin Spencer. Step grandchildren Sabra Clark, Grant Foster, Owen Davison, Aaliyah Davison, Olivia Muller, and Evan Davison. He is also survived by his sisters Margaret Burnette and Eudora Vanscoy of Gallipolis and brother Roy Spencer of Richlands, North Carolina. Pete also had a special Pen Pal, Anna Ferguson.

Friends may call at the Willis Funeral Home in Gallipolis on Tuesday, March 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral services will be held immediately following calling hours at 7 p.m., Pastor Aaron Young of First Baptist Church of Gallipolis officiating. Also speaking will be Pastor Marc Sarrett. Those in attendance are asked to follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing and are required to follow the Ohio mandate of wearing face masks. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 10 at 1 p.m. at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens with military honors.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.

Published by Ohio Valley Publishing from Mar. 8 to Mar. 9, 2021.

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