Horace Jack Spencer III

Horace Jack Spencer, III, affectionately known as Trey, left us with a mischievous grin and a lifetime's worth of stories to tell when he unexpectedly departed on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the age of 62. He was born on February 19, 1961 to Jack and Nina Spencer, with a twinkle in his eye that often foreshadowed his next adventure, Trey was a man who lived life with unapologetic humor and a healthy dose of rebellion.

As the oldest child and military brat, Trey took his role as an older sibling seriously—or not so seriously, depending on how you look at it. He was known to pester his sisters and use his younger brother as willing (or unwilling) guinea pigs for his elaborate schemes. One of his greatest hits involved a trip to the grocery store, where he'd pretend not to recognize his own family, instructing bystanders to "make these children stop following me." Classic Trey.

He graduated from Gilmer High School in 1979, where he honed his innate talent for getting into and out of trouble. Soon after, he donned the uniform of the United States Marine Corps, but it didn't take long for him to realize that he didn't enjoy taking orders from others. So, he served his country for four years and decided to trade military life for the academic one.

At Stephen F Austin University, Trey pursued a Master's Degree in Statistics, and that's where he met the love of his life, Charlotte. Many were astonished that he managed to convince her to marry him, but their love was undeniable, and together they had two wonderful children, Caitlin and Dylan. Trey's legacy lives on in his children, who inherited his unique sense of humor and penchant for mischief.

Trey's 27 year career as a Biostatistician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was impressive, even if it remained a mystery to those who couldn't decipher the intricacies of his work. Whatever he did, he loved it and cherished the friendships he formed with his coworkers, who probably spent more time deciphering his jokes than his statistical analyses. When not crunching
numbers, Trey loved to learn new things and his interests were ever evolving as is evidenced by the large number of books and tools he collected and hobbies he enjoyed. He also enjoyed spending time at his Wye Mountain home working on projects and helping maintain Charlotte’s expansive garden. Above all, Trey was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.

A memorial visitation to celebrate Trey's life will be held on Friday, December 15th, at Smith Funeral Home in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1 - 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Trey's name to the Arkansas Baptist Children and Families Ministry (https://arkansasfamilies.org/give-now).

May Trey's laughter and fun loving spirit live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.