Gerald Elroy Spencer, 97, of Los Osos, died Monday July 27, 1998, at his home.
A memorial service will be held in the middle of August at Trinity Methodist Church in Los Osos.
Mr. Spencer was born in his grandmother’s log house in La Grande, Ore., on Dec. 31, 1901. His mother died when he was 3 years old and his mother’s sister cared for him until his father remarried. During high school he played the trumpet and saxophone in the high school band. He kept up with his music while he was attending Oregon State University, not only in the school band but in a small dance band he organized. He majored in general merchandising but continued to play music all his life. After college he was offered a position with a small merchandising chain store in La Grande. In Union, Oregon he became reacquainted with a high school friend, Zelpha Beach. They were married on June 29, 1924, and recently celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Spencer was sent to Wenatchee, Wash., to work as the manager of the company store. He left there to work in the only large department store in Wenatchee as the assistant manager of the shoe department. He soon became manager but left a short time later for an opportunity to buy the lease and own his own business in ladies shoes. He kept the business for 32 years.
After a visit to the California coast, he and his wife retired to Los Osos, moving there in 1968 to the Daisy Hill Mobil Home Estates. He was active there in the social committee, as well as the breakfast committee, called Bingo for 25 years and enjoyed companionship at the pool table.
He loved people, nature, music and sports and was an avid golfer. He was a member of the Rotary International with 26 years perfect attendance and was a member of the merchants committee in Wenatchee. He was secretary of the Salvation Army Board of Directors and then served as President for three years. He also was a member of the Washington State Apple Blossom Committee for several years and was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Los Osos for many years.
He is survived by Zelpha Beach Spencer, his wife of 74 years; a brother, Fred Spencer, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family asks that contributions be made to the Building Fund at Trinity Methodist Church in Los Osos.
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Contributed by: Tom Childers