Romulus Sanderson Spencer III “Tony” was born on May 5, 1967, and died on June 3, 2018, at Sentara General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

Tony dedicated his life to serving others in the emergency management field. Tony most recently served as the Fire Chief of Engelhard VFD and CEO of Spencer Furniture and True Value Hardware (established 1900). Tony held many roles throughout his years in public safety. He held the position of Senior Emergency Management Specialist at HQ USMC, teaching in this country and overseas in Japan and Korea. He served in Carteret County as Deputy Director of Emergency Services and Director of Emergency Communications. He is former Emergency Manager and Fire Marshall of Hyde County. Tony served as chairman of the Engelhard Sanitary District.

Tony graduated from Mattamuskeet High School and studied Emergency Management at American Public University and graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in history. He was a member of the Engelhard Baptist Church.

Tony is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Spencer, of Engelhard; son, Chris Spencer and fiancé Rebecca Moore, of Hampton, Virginia; daughter, Heather Lansdell and husband David, of Richmond, Virginia; his parents, R. S. Spencer Jr., of Engelhard, and Judy Broughton Spencer, of Winterville; his sister, Jennifer Thomas and husband William, of Winterville; stepson, Richard Smith and wife Lauren, of Newport News, Virginia; stepdaughter, Kimberly Reese and husband Cristopher, of Newport, N.C.; grandchildren, Caitlyn, Christina, Lyla, Landon and Alexis; niece, Ashleigh; aunts Mary Tilgman and Pam Andrews; and cousins, Dale Smith and Cassie Smith.

Tony is also survived by and was proud to call all the members of the Engelhard Volunteer Fire Department his family.

Services will be held Friday, June 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Engelhard Voluntary Fire Department with burial in the Fulford Cemetery in Engelhard.

The family requests casual dress. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tony’s memory to the Engelhard Volunteer Fire Department at PO Box 296 Engelhard, NC 27824.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter, where online sympathy messages can be directed to www.bryanfs.com.