JAMES WALTON SPEER

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

James Walton Speer, age 62, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, July 02, 2007, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. following a cancer illness. He was born August 3, 1943 in Springfield, Mo., the son of Charles Henry Speer and Janice Smiley Speer. Jim was a 1961 graduate of Fort Scott High School.

He married Helen Mardell Brown on Dec. 29, 1964 in Miami, Okla. She preceded him in death on August 14, 2001. He retired following a 22 year career in the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church. Jim's hobby included collecting and using tools.

Survivors include his mother, Janice Cowan, Webb City, Mo.; two daughters, Donna J. Speer, Dallas, Texas and Julie M. Speer, Pittsburg, Kan.; five brothers, Dale Demas, Jackson, Kentucky, John Speer, Redfield, Kan., Glenn Demas Webb City, Mo., Charles Speer, Carl Junction, Mo. and Rev. Mark Demas, Hamilton, Kan. Also surviving are five grandchildren and one great-great grandson. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father; a daughter, Cindy Collins and a son, James W. Speer Jr.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the U. S. National Cemetery conducted by the U. S. Marine Corps Chaplain. Military Honors will be conducted by the Marine Corps. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. Thursday until service time at Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.