Rev. James Speer

Memorial services for Rev. James Speer, 78, of Carthage, Texas were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of Carthage with Dr. Allen Tilley officiating. A reception will follow in the Family Center of First Baptist Church.

  Rev. James Lloyd Speer was born on Saturday, April 1, 1944, in Ada, Oklahoma. He passed this life peacefully on Thursday morning, November 3, 2022, at his Carthage, Texas home. James was one of nine children born to the marriage of William Robert and Hazel Florence Hunter Speer.

  He was raised in Oklahoma and graduated high school in Potosi, Missouri with the Class of 1962. He received his Associates and Arts from Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas. James married his love Barbara Kay Miller, on Saturday, March 27, 1965, and they celebrated 57 years of marriage.

  Rev. Speer held ministerial positions in youth, music, and pastorate in many churches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. 

  He served as the Executive Director of the Daniels Springs Encampment in Gary, Texas for 36 years. He was a devoted member of the Carthage First Baptist Church where he sang in the Churchman Quartet, served in the AWANA Program for over 30 years and taught the Adult 3 Sunday School class for 40 years. James ended his career working for CISD as the OCS Program Director, again serving the youth of the community.

  James showed his love of Lord, family, and community in all that he did, he modeled it for us, but most of all, thank you for all the laughing and good times we shared in your presence, you will be missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Joyce Fagala; brothers, Paul and John Speer.

  Rev. Speer is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Speer of Carthage; daughters, Kim Speer Turner and husband Paul of Carthage, and Tammy Speer Ramm and husband Robert of Arlington; brothers, Don Speer and wife Carolyn of Rogers, Arkansas, Charles Speer and wife Linda of Little Rock, Arkansas, David Speer and wife Angela of Conway, Arkansas, Ben Speer and wife Melissa of Olive Branch, Mississippi; sister, Mary Ceren and husband Dale of Spring; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Speer of Coffeyville, Kansas, and Jan Speer of Rison, Arkansas; grandchildren, Cameron Speer of Denver, Colorado, Victor Turner of Carthage, Alex Ramm and Emily of Washington, and Maddie Ramm and fiancé Alex Cole of Washington; great granddaughter, Aspen Eloise Ramm and special friend, Rose Nguyen; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

    Memorials may be made Daniels Springs Encampment or the GIMP fund at First Baptist Church of Carthage.