George E. Spencer

Spencer George E. Spencer, age 88, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2014. Preceded in death by his parents Irvin B. and Ethel (Elwell) Spencer, sister Sally (Spencer) Jordan and two infant sons. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-eight years, Billie; daughters, Jackie and Lynne; son, Greg and daughter-in-law, Sandy; grandsons, Eric and Bryan; and several nieces. Born in Bexley, Ohio on July 7, 1926, George graduated from Bexley High School in 1944. He immediately enlisted in the United States Navy, training at the Great Lakes Naval Station where he also played football for Coach Paul Brown. He served in WWII in the Pacific Theatre. Upon his return, George married his high school sweetheart, Billie Eisele. He attended The Ohio State University where he quarterbacked the football team and pitched for the Buckeye baseball team. In 1947, George signed his first Major League Baseball contract with the New York Giants. His career was highlighted by helping the Giants defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1951 National League Pennant race, followed by the World Series against the New York Yankees. In addition to the New York Giants, his seventeen-year playing career as primarily a relief pitcher included time with the Detroit Tigers and a number of minor league teams including the Columbus Jets. George's final years in baseball were spent as a pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers' and Cincinnati Reds' minor league teams and the Ohio State Buckeyes. In retirement, he managed the Dollar Federal baseball team in the Columbus Night League in the early 1970's as well as the Lancaster Scouts in the Frontier League in 1994. He was also employed by United McGill Corporation and was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 98 for twenty-two years. George remained an avid sports fan all of his life, following Major League Baseball and his beloved Buckeyes. He was proud to have been honored by the Columbus Clippers in Huntington Park. George remained close friends with his high school buddies all of his life. He enjoyed warm, summer days on the golf course with his son and friends. George especially loved Sunday dinners with his wife and family, laughing and teasing with his daughters and daughter-in-law. His pride and joy were his grandsons, Eric and Bryan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's memory to the Nationwide Children's Hospital or the Coach Carlton Smith Scholarship Fund, c/o Bexley High School, Bexley, Ohio. A service to celebrate George's life will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Forest Lawn Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Garden, 5600 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. with the service beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be at a later date.