Yancy Spencer, Iii

Yancy Bailey Spencer, III, loving and very cherished son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and faithful Christian, died suddenly from a heart attack while surfing in Malibu, California on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2011. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia July 2, 1950, raised in Pensacola, Florida and resided in Gulf Breeze, Florida for over thirty years. At the age of 12 he came to Christ and was baptized. Though it was a childhood experience, God in His faithfulness brought him to a powerful conversion at the age of 21 when through his conversion, persistence, and gentleness of heart many were influenced to become Christians including his family, one of whom became a pastor. There were two things that defined Yancy. The first being a deep devotion and daily walk with God, a prayer list that spans almost 40 years, and a concern for those less fortunate. Within that sphere he was a devoted son to proud mother, Pat Schluter, and wonderful husband to his beloved wife of 32 years, Lydia Ann Brown Spencer. He was proud father to Yancy Bailey Spencer, IV (surfer), Abigail Leigh (Spencer) Pruett (actress), Sterling Brown Spencer (professional surfer), and grandfather (Duke) to his wonderful grandchildren, Britney Noelle Sosebee and precocious Roman Allen Pruett, whom he traveled to see when he died, and dear father-in-law to Andrew Allen Pruett. The second is his great passion and love for the sport and art of surfing and within that his good business sense bloomed into Innerlight Surf Shop, so named in honor of Jesus ? He is the Innerlight. Yancy began surfing at the age of 15 and by the time he was 21 had become a champion surfer. Because of his many accomplishments he put the Gulf Coast on the world map of surfing. Among his achievements were: 1st in East Coast Pro Division - 1973, 2nd in the US Surfing Chanpionships - 1975, Senior Men's U.S. Shortboard Champion - 1986, Senior Men's U.S. Longboard Surfing Champion - 1995. He was inducted into the East Coast Surf Legends Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Pensacola Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2009. He is survived by a large family. Of his dear brothers and wives, business partner and best friend J.B. Schluter (Midgie), Pastor John Spencer (Lynn), Debra Posey and Jane Smith (Pat); brothers through family marriage, Ernie Schluter Jr. (Susan) and Bobbie Schluter (Toni). He was preceded in death by Ernest Schluter Sr. and Marie Schluter. The visitation will be at Calvary Chapel Gulf Breeze, Saturday, February 19th at 9am to 10:30am followed by the funeral service. For condolences or information www.roselawn-fh.com and www.innerlightsurf.com.

Visitation

Visitation

Calvary Chapel
1122 Oriole Beach Road
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Saturday, February 19, 2011
9:00 AM

Service

Funeral Service

Calvary Chapel
1122 Oriole Beach Road
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Saturday, February 19, 2011
10:30 AM

Cemetery

Burial

Rose Lawn Cemetery
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563