In Memoriam

Our Dad, Thomas Michael Spencer, was a decent man who loved his family, worked hard alone to raise his three children, Sidney, Frank, and Mary. He made sure we attended Methodist Sunday School and Church services every Sunday rain or shine from childhood, expected good school grades period, taught us to become self reliant and caring adults. We kids certainly knew who the "boss" was in our home! Dad only said anything one time. Once was enough whether it was a assigning a chore, asking a question, or expressing an opinion. We always felt secure with him and knew he loved us and would always be there for us while we were growing up.
Dad purchased a brand new 1954 Chevy which was his "Sunday car". He would take us riding to visit Grandmother or to see the sights such as the Memorial Museum on Sunday afternoons. My happiest time was when he would take me fishing on the Chamberlin Hotel Wharf/Pier where several people gathered on the pier with their rods and reels and tried to catch a "big one". Folks would congratulate me when I managed to catch a fish, though more often It was an eel.
During the week he drove his 1948 Ford to work for 20 years at least. Dad purchased a brand new 1954 Chevy which was his "Sunday" car. He had the new auto parked in the garage when Frank, age 14, decided to try it out while Dad was at work. Frank went driving about a mile away on the wet rainy curving road by the baseball park where the "Baby Dodgers" played. He skidded and crashed the new Chevy into a tree! I purposely went bike riding when it was time for Dad to get home from work so I would not hear that discussion! Frank survived, but did not get to go anywhere for quite a while. Those were the days....
Sidney joined the U.S. Navy, which became his career. He achieved several ratings and traveled wherever he was needed for the next twenty plus years, including two tours in VietNam. Sidney married Irene, a lovely, brilliant U. S. Army officer who shared his life and brought him much joy. She was sassy and witty, just what he needed! They remained in love for a lifetime! Sidney and Irene became parents of four children whom they adored. Their hearts were broken when their young son Dennis contracted polio. After a long battle in the Danny Thomas Hospital where he received the best of care, Dennis eventually died. Sidney and Irene never recovered from the loss of Dennis. After military retirement Sidney worked for a University in Pennsylvania for several years. They eventually relocated to Tennessee where they shared their time there with their children and grandchildren, lives well lived.
Dad was a civilian employee employed at Fort Eustis for many years and never missed a day until he was injured at work and had to retire in his 50s.
We are thankful that Dad married a wonderful, caring widow, Nannie Lee Lawson Walton when in his fifties. She changed his lonely life and brought him much happiness. They were together for several years until her death from heart disease. His final years he missed Nannie terribly but was thankful for the time they had shared . Tom was independent and insisted on living alone in his own home. His grandson Tommy Spencer lived nearby, supported him with love and attention. Youngest brother Clyde was available when needed, and was his best friend through the years.
Dad was born in a generation that did not express their feelings lightly. Before he died he shared that he did not know how to express his love vocally but he always loved his children so much - which we knew. From Dad we learned that "family means everything." He was my hero and I am looking forward to seeing him again.