Obituary

Donald 'Pappy' Spencer, 83, was beloved for music

OLDSMAR -- The music ended Saturday (March 15, 2003) for Donald E. "Pappy" Spencer, patriarch of the Spencer Family musical group. The Oldsmar resident of more than 50 years died peacefully at a temporary residence in Tarpon Springs.

Mr. Spencer, 83, known to friends, family and fans as Pappy, and his wife, Esther J., "Moe," played and sang on local radio stations and at various area programs and events, including the couple's children's school performances. While the Spencer Family band name is most remembered, the couple and some of their children also performed as the Country Heirs and Princess Kini and her Hawaiian Entertainers.

Born in Bradford, Pa., Mr. Spencer and family came here in 1947 from Duke Center, Pa.

Married when he was 19 and she was 15, Mr. Spencer said in an interview two years ago that after more than six decades of marriage, four children, nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild and several stepgrandchildren, they considered themselves "simply blessed."

Mr. Spencer lauded his wife, "She's the most beautiful steel-guitar player."

Mrs. Spencer returned with, "He's got the best sense of humor."

Through the years, all four children and some of the grandchildren performed with the couple as they have sung gospel, country, folk and Hawaiian music -- or yodeled.

A daughter, Donna J. Walker of Oldsmar, said in 2001 that her children "did not grow up with grandparents back on the ranch. They were raised with grandparents who rode motorcycles and played guitars."

The Spencers were awarded an Oldsmar Chairman's Award for Excellence trophy in 1999 when four generations of the family adorned a Hawaiian theme float for the Oldsmar Day Parade to commemorate 60 years of country, gospel and Hawaiian music. Along with being a musician he was also a cabinetmaker.

Besides his wife of 64 years, Esther J. "Moe" and, daughter Donna J. Walker, other survivors include daughters, Diana J. Caiozza, Safety Harbor, and Sherill L. Eisenhuth, Tampa; a son, Donald Allan Spencer, Palm Harbor; a sister, Helen Cousins, Duke Center; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.

Viewing will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home, 112 Bayview Blvd.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright