Thomas Spencer

Thomas Douglas ( Tom Doug ) Spencer 91 of Erin,Tn.died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday,January 24, 2011.A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Nave Funeral Home Erin Chapel with Bro. Ken Wallace and Bro. Paul Moody officiating.Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m.until service Thursday at th funeral home. He is preceded in death by his parents,Katharyn Elizabeth Hollister Spencer, Judge Joseph Marvin Spencer and his siblings Hattie Sue Spencer, Betty Lou Rye, Katharyn Anne Rye, Dr. William Hollister Spencer, James Marvin Spencer, Judge Joseph Hollister Spencer. He is survived by his wife of 68 years,Martha Jo Stone Spencer and his children,Thomas Douglas (Tom)Spencer II (Brenda) and Dr. Judy Spencer Bolton(Robert) and his grandchildren,Thomas Douglas (Megan)Spencer III, Suzanne Spencer(Ted) Wells, and great grandchildren Carter and Reid Spencer, Edward Wells.Born April 8, 1919 in Erin,attended college at U.T.Knoxville and Austin Peay in Clarksville.He was a local business man owned a Western Auto Store.He loved the outdoors, boating, sailing, golf, gardening, hunting, fishing and flying.In the 1940'he was one of the first to introduce private airplanes to the county even giving many people their first plane ride.He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Board of Aldermen for the city of Erin and member of Erin United Methodist Church.He was involved in many civic duties includingthe Erin public water system.He was instrumental in founding the Houston Co.Airport and was chairman of the Houston Co.Airport Committee.He enjoyed Houston Co.history and was a member of the Houston Co. Historical Society.Upon retirement he enjoyed time with family, gardening, especially tomatoes, travel.He was an avid tinkerer and inventor, He made and shared maple syrup from neighborhood trees, undertook personal computer at age 83 staying current communicating and learning via the internet as well as sharing a good story or local history in his engaging stortytelling fashion. Pallbearers will be Kent Bell, Mitchell Smithey, Cass Rye, Seth Rye, Cass Rye Jr. Hollister Rye, Dusty Holder, Perry Uffelman.Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Cleghern, Billy Sid Vinson, Phil Averitt, Mitch Mitchum, Henry Rumfelt and Free Forum Sunday School Class of Erin United Methgodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Erin United Methodist Church or the charity of one's choice.