Dates
On Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the age of 66, Gary Ray Speck of Wall, TX, went to be with his Lord and Savior, after a long battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. Gary was born on November 12, 1953 in San Angelo, TX to Denny Ray and "Beppo" Speck. Gary graduated Valedictorian of Eden High School in 1972 and went on to receive an Accounting degree from Angelo State University in 1976. Growing up, Gary was very involved in sports, FFA and UIL, winning second place in Prose Reading at the State UIL competition. He also kept very busy in his spare time helping his Dad at the ranch.
In 1984, Gary met his best friend at the 1st annual Rain Dance in San Angelo. Exactly one year later, he married the love of his life, Reta Darlene Gunn. They lived in Eden, TX until August 2002 when they moved to the community of Wall, TX. Gary and Darlene raised two children, Jessie and Scott. He was very active in his kids' lives, attending many little league games, dance recitals, band contests, football games, One Act play contests and much more. An active supporter of the communities that he lived in, Gary attended as many school activities as he could. Anyone who knew Gary would attest to his place as the "#1 fan" and loudest cheerleader in the stands. He was also the long-time voice of the "Mean Green Marching Machine" and "The Big Blue Band from Bulldog Land".
Gary served as an officer and director on the Mohair Council of America, the Texas Mohair Council and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers. He was a long-time member and officer of the Concho County Farm Bureau serving on the Texas Farm Bureau State Committee for Sheep and Goats. In 2019, he received the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award for District 6. Gary was a member of Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, participating actively in the CCC Sunday School class and church choir.
Gary is survived by his wife, Darlene Speck; daughter Jessica Fett and husband Phillip; son Scott and wife Victoria, all of Wall, TX; mother Geraldine (Beppo) Speck of San Angelo, TX; sisters Suzy Carroll of Cisco, TX, and Shelly Sanford and husband Todd of San Angelo, TX; mother-in-law, Oneita Gunn, of Post, TX; brother-in-law Bobby Heckaman of Post, TX; sister-in-law Melinda Gunn of Lubbock, TX, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Denny Ray Speck; grandparents Harris and Willie Mae Mohler and Fritz and Bela Speck; father-in-law Clarence Gunn; brother-in-laws Bill Carroll and Danny Gunn; and sister-in-law Nita Jo Heckaman.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 28th, from 5:30-7:00pm at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 29th at 1:00pm at the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church in San Angelo, TX.
A scholarship has been set up in Gary's name, all donation checks can be made payable to:
San Angelo Area Foundation, Gary Speck Memorial Scholarship, 221 S. Irving St., San Angelo, TX 76903