French Preston Spencer, 80, Passion for Gardening

He was born November 24, 1925 in Eastern, Kentucky, and had lived in Vermilion, Ohio, 41 years.

He enlisted in the United States Navy as a sophomore in high school in 1944. As a Seaman First Class, he served from 1944-1946. He spent a year in Norfolk, Virginia transporting troops to various parts of Europe and then in Panama Canal at the Fleet Airwing Base. He received the American Theater Ribbon and Victory Metal.

He was employed in maintenance at General Motors in Brookpark retiring in 1980 after 30 years service. He was a former member of the Old Regular Baptist Church in Eastern, Kentucky. Most people new him as an inventor. He had a passion for gardening and loved giving most of what he grew to family and friends. Mr. Spencer enjoyed a good cup of coffee while keeping up with current events from the newspaper or television. He was always known for drinking his coffee from a small cup so it could never get cold. Most people knew FP as an inventor and he created projects around the house. He built a water garden with a backyard garden pathway.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Dorothy (nee Riddle); sons, Rick Spencer of Rockwood, Michigan, Michael Spencer of Vermilion, OH and Randy Spencer of Avon; 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 5 step children, David Riddle, Amherst, Debbie DeLeonardis, Austin, TX, Rose Jones, Lorain, Rick Riddle, Morehead, KY, Terry Riddle, Lorain; 6 step grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren; sisters, Agnes Dilling of Southgate, KY and Nancy Bailey of Maytown, KY; and a brother, Alex Spencer, Jr of Van Lear, KY.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Alex and Kate (nee Turner) Spencer; a son, Jeff Spencer, 1957, sister, Marie Spencer, and brothers, Ralph Spencer and Hewen Spencer.

Friends may call Saturday, December 10, 2005 from 5-8 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.

Friends may call Monday, December 12, 5-9 p.m. at the Hall Brothers Funeral Home, corner of Rt. 80 and Rt. 122, Martin, KY. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Hall Brothers Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Spencer Cemetery, Eastern, KY.

Contributions may be made to the Memorial and Honor Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.