Ralph Donald Spencer

Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 11:30 am at the First Christian Church in Huntsville Tx., with the Rev. Kyle Dennis officiating. Burial will follow on Friday, May 4th, at 11:00 am at Austin Memorial Cemetery, in Austin, Tx. Ralph Donald Spencer Sr. was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Ralph passed away on April 29th, 2007 in Huntsville. He was born on March 17, 1927 to Ruth Fields Spencer and Frank W. Spencer in Breckenridge, Texas. He served in the US Navy in WWII on the USS Shamrock in the Pacific Theatre. Upon his return to Texas after the war, Ralph attended Tarleton State University & Texas Tech University, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1951. Ralph was an architect, and practiced his career in Lubbock, Austin, and Huntsville, Texas. Over his 56 years of practice, he designed and completed many educational and institutional projects across the State of Texas. He also served as Executive Director of the Texas State Board of Architectural Examiners in Austin from 1970-74. Ralph is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Ann Hoover. Ralph and Pat were married in 1948 in Stephenville, Texas. They were married for 49 years. Their survivors include sons R. Don Spencer II and his wife, Elizabeth of San Francisco , CA. and Richard Kevin Spencer and his wife, Paula, of Austin, Texas. Ralph's surviving grandchildren from Don and Elizabeth are Ralph D. Spencer III of Pacific Grove, CA, and Ford Spencer of Pasadena, Ca. Ralph's great grandchildren from Ralph III and his wife Felicia are Ethan and Olivia Spencer of Pacific Grove Ca. Ralph's surviving grandchildren from Richard and Paula are Christopher Spencer of Austin, and Jonathan and Steven Spencer of College Station . Ralph is survived by his wife of 8 years, Vaneta Williams. They have lived in Huntsville for the past 7 years, where they have been active members of the community, and the First Christian Church. Ralph's work as the architect for Sam Houston State University projects over the past years has included the Lee Drain Building, English-Evans, Music II, and the Farrington Science Building renovations. He was also the designer and author of the SHSU Master Plans, which have been implemented for present and future growth at the University. Ralph's passion for life, family and his work was exemplary, and he will be forever fondly remembered by his loving family and friends. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Ralph Donald Spencer

March 17, 1927 - May 3, 2007