Alfred Edward Spencer

Alfred ‘Ed’ Spencer left this world on June 29, 2024. He was born in Bonifay, Florida on January 31, 1945 to Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and Trudy Spencer as the youngest of 6 children. He grew up in Westville, Florida and Valdosta, Georgia, learning to hunt and fish at a young age to help feed the family. During high school he played football for the Valdosta Wildcats, having never lost a game while he played. One time while hunting with friends, after an accident, he carried his friend out of the wood to receive medical care. He joined the US Army and became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division - proclaiming that the first dozen times he went up in a plane he didn’t know they could land. In 1965, while in the 82nd, he took part in Operation Power Pack in the Dominican Republic. After his time in the Army, while working in Atlanta he met Kathleen Gardner who would become his wife on December 2, 1967, and remain so for more than 56 years of marriage, during which they would have 2 sons, Edward and William. Ed worked as a mechanic much of his early life, including running his own shop, ’Ed’s Automotive’ where he proudly declared ‘If I can’t fix it, it isn’t broke.’ This was a shining example of his sharp wit, sarcasm, general good nature, stubbornness, and humor he was known for. Amongst his other favorite comments were, ‘I can weld anything but the crack of dawn and a broken heart’, and when one son was moving to Kodiak, ’Alaska has two seasons, winter and the 4th of July’. For a period of time, he also worked for Western Electric, installing telephone switch equipment in Sarasota, Florida; and later Pensacola. While in Sarasota, he spent much of his free time with his family in Myakka State Park, wade fishing in remote areas that had been closed off for years which also included an occasional run in with an alligator or two. While working for ECUA he shifted his career from being a mechanic back to working with electronics becoming an Instrument Electrical Technician. In this role, he handled the electronics and electrical for treatment plants, lift stations, and water wells. He held himself and those around him to high standards, and was quick to point out lunacy when he saw it. But through the years, one off the things he was most known for was his ability to hunt and fish. He had multiple articles written about him in the local paper for his ability to catch fish, and often competed in fishing tournaments, and turkey shoots. He was always quick to show others how to fish, where to find fish, or even how to hunt and clean their catch. Once he and his wife retired, they decided to relax in their golden years by starting a farm. It was here that they would put in ponds where he would fish and enjoy hunting deer, turkey, hogs, and other game. It was especially here, that he would share that love of hunting and fishing with many others, including a local Boy Scout Troop, church members, friends, and family. Ed and Kathy would become well known for their Memorial Day cookouts, where people would fish, and Ed would spend all night the night before tending the fire and smoking meat for the next day’s festivities. Alfred is survived by his wife of more than 56 years, Kathleen, his two sons, Edward and William, and his grandson, Grant. Visitation is to be held July 6th, 2024, at Faith Chapel North, at 8:30am with services to begin at 9:30am. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Alfred Edward Spencer

January 31, 1945 - June 29, 2024