David Lee Wyant Jr.

David Lee Wyant, Jr., an esteemed partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and a nationally-recognized rowing commentator, died in comfort at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida on June 2, 2023, at age 40, after a long, courageous fight with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and cancer.

He was surrounded by his devoted wife, Paige Samson Wyant, his loving mother, Betsy Garner Wyant, and his brother, Robert Daniel Wyant. David is also survived by his two sons, Winston and Spencer, his grandmother Dorothy Baer Garner, and his father David L. Wyant, Sr.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia, David lived the majority of his life in Sarasota, where he attended Pine View School with his future wife and developed an enduring passion for rowing. Following his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wesleyan University in 2005, David received a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis in 2010. He went on to a celebrated legal career at SLK, specializing in business litigation.

David also had an extensive career in the rowing community. He graduated from youth coxswain to collegiate head coach and then to announcer for the United States Olympic Trials, the World Rowing Championship, the NCAA Rowing Championships, and countless USRowing events such as the Youth National Championship. He stayed engaged with rowing through the rest of his life, announcing the NCAA championship in May 2023 just five short days before he passed.

But rowing was only one of David’s passions. He lived his life with an insatiable curiosity. He was a maven in so many areas: watches, fashion, sneakers, politics, art, sports. When David chased a passion, he threw all of himself into it. He didn’t just purchase art, he got to know the artists personally. He wasn't just a casual Tampa Bay Lightning fan, he knew every stat, player, and roster move. David truly had the deepest appreciation and love for the world around him.

A celebration of life will be held at the Rowing and Events facility at Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday, June 15th at 4pm, where David was the lead announcer for all rowing races. The memorial is open to the public. The family asks that any donations be made to the charity PSC Partners Seeking a Cure (https://pscpartners.org) in David's honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Wyant family.