F. Spencer Givens III

F. Spencer Givens III, 83, formerly of Camillus, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at The Nottingham in Jamesville.

Born in Richmond, VA, Spencer was the son of the late Frank Spencer Givens Jr. and Florence Louise Givens. He grew up in Highland Springs, VA, and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He dedicated his career to agricultural engineering and equipment sales and marketing.

In 1991, Spencer founded AgCore, Inc., and ran the farm and equipment sales business for 31 years. Prior to that, he worked for M.J. Flynn, Inc., Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Public Service Indiana, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Spencer was deeply involved in agricultural and environmental leadership. He served as chair of the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors and president of the Onondaga County Farmland Protection Board. He was also a graduate of the first class of the Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute at Cornell University (LeadNY) and was active in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineers Conference.

A passionate gardener, Spencer was a longtime member of the Men’s and Women’s Garden Club of Syracuse.

Spencer was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Ann (Richalds) Givens in 2017; brothers-in-law, Richard Giles and Robert Renalds, sister-in-law, Marlene Breu, and son-in-law, Adam Kotlarz.

Surviving are his children, Alice Givens, Russell (Valerie), and Amy (Richard) Kotlarz-Knapp; three grandchildren, Samuel Kotlarz, and Henry and Evelyn Givens; siblings, Linda Giles, Walter (Carole) and Maria Givens, and sister-in-law, Nancy Renalds; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

Spencer will be laid to rest in Emmanual Lutheran Cemetery, New Market, VA.

Contributions may be made to LeadNY, Cornell University, 275B Warren Hall, 137 Reservoir Ave., Ithaca, NY 14853 or to the Men’s and Women’s Garden Club of Syracuse, P.O. Box 23, Syracuse, NY 13209 or to a charity of your choice. 

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