Spencer was born March 28, 1924 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to Raymond and Cleo Davis. Spencer was predeceased by his brothers, Jerry Davis and Hugh Davis and Betty his loving wife of 60 years. After graduating high school he attended Miami University in Oxford until he was called to serve our country in World War II.
Before deployment he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane Emery. Spencer served 8 months with the United States Air Force in Italy as a waist gunner on a B-17. He flew 23 missions and Spencer credited the Tuskegee Airmen for leading his unit safely in and out of missions. Spencer returned to Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University in 1948 from the College of Commerce and Administration. For over 70 years he has been a loyal fan of OSU football and basketball. Go Bucks!
After graduation he joined the American Ceramics Society as assistant secretary. There he saw a need for a trade magazine, and in 1952 he became cofounder and publisher of Ceramics Monthly magazine. A few years later he became the sole owner of the world's premier publication for ceramic artists and potters. The magazine grew to a readership in over 200 countries. He also was responsible for a series of 11 best-selling handbooks on ceramics. In 1994 he introduced a new magazine, Pottery Making Illustrated. In 1996 Spencer retired and was looking for the right home for his magazine and its staff. In an ironic twist he sold Ceramics Monthly to the American Ceramics Society,Westerville, Ohio, his first employer.
Spencer and Betty were long term members of York Golf Club. Spencer joined Columbus Kiwanis in 1959 and remained a member for over 30 years. Spencer and Betty were longtime residents of Worthington, where they raised their 3 children.
Spencer is survived by his loving children, daughters Lynn Benson, husband Tom of Atlanta, Georgia, Wendy Borchelt, husband Tom of Zanesfield, Ohio, and son Gregg, wife Debbi of Lakeside, Montana. Spencer was also blessed with 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Spencer lived his last years at Westminster Thurber Towers in Columbus where he continued to have a full, independent and happy life. Spencer made new friends and benefited from the caring staff. The family would like to recognize Homewell Care for providing excellent loving caregivers, who became like family. They enabled Spencer to remain in his apartment at Thurber Towers in his final 2 years, a place he called home and loved. The family is grateful for the compassionate care and support Ohio Health Hospice gave to Spencer, as Hospice also provided for his wife, Betty 20 years ago. Spencer and Betty were both blessed to spend their final days at Kobacker House.
A private graveside celebration of life will be held at The Garden of the Son at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Delaware, Ohio at a later date.
The family requests for those who wish to make a donation in Spencer's memory to consider Ohiohealth.com Central Ohio Hospice KOBACKER HOUSE.
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