James "Jim" Victor Spencer Iii
June 29, 1944 — August 25, 2023
James "Jim" Victor Spencer III, 79, of Birmingham, Ala., passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 25 in his home while surrounded by family. He was a kind and praiseworthy man who prioritized his Christian faith, his family, and service to his church and his community throughout his life.
Born June 29, 1944 to James Victor Spencer, Jr. and Mary Margaret Strawn Spencer, Jim, or "Jimmy", as his beloved mother loved to call him, lived with his family mainly in El Dorado, Ark., where he spent his childhood, adulthood and practiced law until a move to Alabama in 1998. The Spencer family has lived in El Dorado for many generations and Jim was always proud to call that city home before making his new home in Alabama.
Jim graduated with a law degree in 1968 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. After law school, he returned to El Dorado and joined his father and grandfather's law firm, where he practiced multiple areas of law, but eventually focused on real estate, estate planning, and oil and gas law. Jim served as El Dorado's city attorney from 1971-1979 and was circuit judge for the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas from 1989 to 1991. He assisted the Arkansas Supreme Court as a special associate justice in 1979, 1987, and 1989.
He remained a member of the Arkansas and Alabama Bar Associations until his death.
In 1998, Jim moved to Birmingham, Ala.. to be close to his soon-to-be beloved wife, Diana Spencer, and began practicing law in the Birmingham, Ala. area. He worked for the Najjar Denaburg, P.C. law firm from 2000 to 2003 and eventually opened a private practice. His wife's children and grandchildren, who also live in Birmingham, became like his own.
He and his wife began attending and became actively involved with Highlands United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham. He especially cherished teaching adult Sunday School classes in both Birmingham and El Dorado and served in leadership roles within the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He served as a Methodist Adult Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. His Christian faith played a major role in his life and he displayed it through generous love and service to others, church involvement, morning devotionals with his wife, and enjoying God's creation through nature.
In 2005, Jim completed the New York City Marathon, a "bucket list" item for him. Meeting his friends and wife at the finish line was something he cherished and spoke about often.
Jim served as president (2008-2009) of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley and in leadership roles in the El Dorado Rotary Club. He was a senior member of the 117th Alabama National Guard Squadron's Civil Air Patrol. He was also a member of the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
For almost two decades, he relished his role as Santa Claus. At Christmas parties, fundraisers and Sunday School, he would don his red suit and take on his jolly "alter ego" for family and friends.
Jim achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow's Vigil Honor within Boy Scouts of America. As an adult, he served in several leadership roles with the Boy Scouts, including as a scoutmaster, board member and legal counsel, for the De Soto Area Council in south-central Arkansas.
Jim smiled easily and offered encouragement readily. His deepest joy came from supporting and spending time with his Alabama and Arkansas families. He offered loving counsel, a handyman's knack, and a sympathetic ear when any family member needed it.
He was a talented guitarist who often entertained his family with 1960s folk tunes like Peter, Paul and Mary's "Lemon Tree." He used his musical talents on behalf of the Kairos Prison Ministry where he made many friends visiting prisoners and singing songs.
Jim had many hobbies and interests including exploring the outdoors, camping, fishing, watching the Arkansas Razorbacks play, smoking meat for loved ones on his Green Egg, reading about history, playing and singing music, hiking and mountain biking.
As a spouse, he was a fun-loving partner who savored quiet moments at home and on the Gulf Coast beach. As a parent, he was a loving, affectionate and stable provider for his children as they grew up, and a continuing comforting and wise presence in adulthood. As a grandparent, he loved to laugh and savored his role as "Grandaddy."
Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Victor Spencer, Jr.; mother, Mary Margaret Strawn Spencer; sister, Margaret Spencer Pierce; brother-in-law, Bob Depper, all of El Dorado; and sister-in-law, Coralee Spencer of Mountain Home, Ark.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Spencer of Hoover, Ala.; his children Mary Carol Pederson (Jason) of Little Rock, Ark., Christopher James Spencer (Christa) of Fayetteville, Elizabeth Anne Spencer of Little Rock, Shannon Diane Poole (Chris) of Birmingham, and Stephanie Pool Smith (Jason) of Vestavia; grandchildren, Spencer Pederson, Shelby Pederson, Chloe Gorbet, Madison Gorbet, Alexandra Poole, Sophia Smith and Claire Smith; brother, Rick Spencer (Brenda) and sister Mary Depper (Bob); mother-in-law, Mary Davis Reynolds; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family will hold two memorial services to honor Jim's commitment to his Alabama and Arkansas family and friends.
The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th Street South in Birmingham. Highlands UMC Senior Pastor Mikah Hudson will preside over the service.
A second service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at First United Methodist Church, 201 South Hill Avenue in El Dorado where Jim's family attended for several decades. Longtime United Methodist Minister Dr. Walter L. "Bubba" Smith will preside over the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Highlands United Methodist Church (highlandsumc.net) or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org).
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" - Luke 12:32
Born June 29, 1944 to James Victor Spencer, Jr. and Mary Margaret Strawn Spencer, Jim, or "Jimmy", as his beloved mother loved to call him, lived with his family mainly in El Dorado, Ark., where he spent his childhood, adulthood and practiced law until a move to Alabama in 1998. The Spencer family has lived in El Dorado for many generations and Jim was always proud to call that city home before making his new home in Alabama.
Jim graduated with a law degree in 1968 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. After law school, he returned to El Dorado and joined his father and grandfather's law firm, where he practiced multiple areas of law, but eventually focused on real estate, estate planning, and oil and gas law. Jim served as El Dorado's city attorney from 1971-1979 and was circuit judge for the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas from 1989 to 1991. He assisted the Arkansas Supreme Court as a special associate justice in 1979, 1987, and 1989.
He remained a member of the Arkansas and Alabama Bar Associations until his death.
In 1998, Jim moved to Birmingham, Ala.. to be close to his soon-to-be beloved wife, Diana Spencer, and began practicing law in the Birmingham, Ala. area. He worked for the Najjar Denaburg, P.C. law firm from 2000 to 2003 and eventually opened a private practice. His wife's children and grandchildren, who also live in Birmingham, became like his own.
He and his wife began attending and became actively involved with Highlands United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham. He especially cherished teaching adult Sunday School classes in both Birmingham and El Dorado and served in leadership roles within the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He served as a Methodist Adult Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. His Christian faith played a major role in his life and he displayed it through generous love and service to others, church involvement, morning devotionals with his wife, and enjoying God's creation through nature.
In 2005, Jim completed the New York City Marathon, a "bucket list" item for him. Meeting his friends and wife at the finish line was something he cherished and spoke about often.
Jim served as president (2008-2009) of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley and in leadership roles in the El Dorado Rotary Club. He was a senior member of the 117th Alabama National Guard Squadron's Civil Air Patrol. He was also a member of the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
For almost two decades, he relished his role as Santa Claus. At Christmas parties, fundraisers and Sunday School, he would don his red suit and take on his jolly "alter ego" for family and friends.
Jim achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow's Vigil Honor within Boy Scouts of America. As an adult, he served in several leadership roles with the Boy Scouts, including as a scoutmaster, board member and legal counsel, for the De Soto Area Council in south-central Arkansas.
Jim smiled easily and offered encouragement readily. His deepest joy came from supporting and spending time with his Alabama and Arkansas families. He offered loving counsel, a handyman's knack, and a sympathetic ear when any family member needed it.
He was a talented guitarist who often entertained his family with 1960s folk tunes like Peter, Paul and Mary's "Lemon Tree." He used his musical talents on behalf of the Kairos Prison Ministry where he made many friends visiting prisoners and singing songs.
Jim had many hobbies and interests including exploring the outdoors, camping, fishing, watching the Arkansas Razorbacks play, smoking meat for loved ones on his Green Egg, reading about history, playing and singing music, hiking and mountain biking.
As a spouse, he was a fun-loving partner who savored quiet moments at home and on the Gulf Coast beach. As a parent, he was a loving, affectionate and stable provider for his children as they grew up, and a continuing comforting and wise presence in adulthood. As a grandparent, he loved to laugh and savored his role as "Grandaddy."
Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Victor Spencer, Jr.; mother, Mary Margaret Strawn Spencer; sister, Margaret Spencer Pierce; brother-in-law, Bob Depper, all of El Dorado; and sister-in-law, Coralee Spencer of Mountain Home, Ark.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Spencer of Hoover, Ala.; his children Mary Carol Pederson (Jason) of Little Rock, Ark., Christopher James Spencer (Christa) of Fayetteville, Elizabeth Anne Spencer of Little Rock, Shannon Diane Poole (Chris) of Birmingham, and Stephanie Pool Smith (Jason) of Vestavia; grandchildren, Spencer Pederson, Shelby Pederson, Chloe Gorbet, Madison Gorbet, Alexandra Poole, Sophia Smith and Claire Smith; brother, Rick Spencer (Brenda) and sister Mary Depper (Bob); mother-in-law, Mary Davis Reynolds; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family will hold two memorial services to honor Jim's commitment to his Alabama and Arkansas family and friends.
The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th Street South in Birmingham. Highlands UMC Senior Pastor Mikah Hudson will preside over the service.
A second service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at First United Methodist Church, 201 South Hill Avenue in El Dorado where Jim's family attended for several decades. Longtime United Methodist Minister Dr. Walter L. "Bubba" Smith will preside over the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Highlands United Methodist Church (highlandsumc.net) or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org).
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" - Luke 12:32
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James "Jim" Victor Spencer Iii, please visit our flower store.