Dr. Alvin (Al) Bayer III
Dr. Alvin (Al) Bayer III, 81, a longtime resident of both Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville, passed away at his home in Corinth, Miss. on August 19, 2017 after a long illness.
Al was born December 31, 1935 at the home of his Big Mamma Patterson in Jacksonville to Margret Ann Patterson Bayer and Alvin Bayer Jr. He attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville under a football scholarship before moving with his family to South Florida. After graduating from Miami Edison High School, Al attended Jacksonville University and the University of Florida before receiving in 1962 his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, Ga. Al completed his residency in 1964 as a lieutenant in the Dental Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserves at the United States Naval Air Station, Chase Field, Beeville, Texas.
Al practiced general dentistry in Fernandina Beach for 50 years – from 1964 to 2014. He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Society of Dentistry, the Northeast District Dental Society, the Jacksonville Dental Society, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of General Dentistry (NE district director, vice president and president), the American Society of Dentistry for Children, the American Society of Anesthesiology, the Rotary Club, the Sertoma Club (primary focus is assisting with hearing health issues), the International Academy of Orthodontics, the Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Fernandina Beach Pirate Club and was a lay reader at St. Peter’s Parish.
Al loved the game of golf and was an enthusiastic runner and skier in the day. He loved to travel to exotic locations such as Alaska, Africa, Scotland, Ireland, England, Maui, Telluride, Breckenridge, Cancun and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Al and Joanna followed the famous “Whiskey Trail” in Scotland and played the Old Course of Saint Andrews while there. Al could speak and read Spanish and German, was a lifeguard and avid skin diver in his teens and was nicknamed “Buck.” For a time during the late 60s, he also was the president and major stockholder of Nassau Food Services Inc., which owned the Marina Restaurant and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Florida. He introduced his kids to the original Colonel Sanders. Al was also on staff at Humphrey’s Memorial Hospital and very involved in the Pop Warner football and cheer program.
Al was blessed to share his life with three families. First, his mom and dad, sister Gail Corbett (Terrell), sister Sara Robold (Robert) and brother Bruce Bayer and their children Lorraine Powell, Jennifer Johnson, Sara Hurd, Robert Robold and David Robold. Second, his wife Renia Bayer Sheffield and their children, Michael Bayer, Allison Bayer Turner (Aundre) and Cathy Bayer Dozier. Finally, his wife Joanna Spivey Bayer and stepchildren, Edward Spivey (Linda), Michael Spivey (Mary) and Debbie Sandifer.
Al is survived by his two sisters and brother, his children and stepchildren, his nieces and nephews and his grandchildren – Lorne Turner, Annalee Turner, Rylie Dozier, Lindsey Hofherr, Sean Spivey, Michelle Spivey and Jessica Spivey. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 21 years, Joanna Marie Spivey-Bayer (February 1, 2014) and Renia Catherine Bayer Sheffield (September 25, 2016).
Al will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017 in the veteran’s section of Arlington Park Cemetery and Funeral Home, located at 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville. Reverend Elizabeth Cantey of the Center for Spiritual Living will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m.
As a final thank you to the personnel of the Country Cottage in Corinth, Miss. who took care of him for the last few years of his life, a $1,000 one-time scholarship fund will be set up in his name for the advancement of education, sports, and creative arts among current employees and their children.
Arlington Park Cemetery and Funeral Home