James 'Jim' G. Speck 1938 - 2018

SIMMERS, SPECK, CRAVEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/8/2018 at 21:20:42

Sioux City Journal
23 September 2018

Sioux City

James 'Jim' G. Speck, 80, of Sioux City, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Celebration of life services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Jim was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Lebanon, Pa., to German and Pauline (Simmers) Speck. He graduated from Annville, Pa. High School in 1957 and served in the United States Navy Reserves from 1957 to 1962.

He married Mary Ellen Craven in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Aug. 28, 1970.

Jim’s ham operator license during his youth resulted in the Navy focusing his duties to include radio operator and repair while serving in the military. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim relocated to Iowa. In his early days in Sioux City, Jim was actively involved in the long-haul trucking industry as at freight broker. Jim’s radio background and the need to be on-call for the freight business made Jim an early adopter of 60s car cell phone technology.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Jim enjoyed hunting and fly fishing, learning to tie flies with his father. Jim’s passion for the outdoors led him on hunting trips to Montana and the Northwest Territory. It was that same passion of the outdoors that steered him away from an office into the cattle and fencing business. He enjoyed moving his cattle from pasture to pasture down Iowa back roads, one of them made newspapers in Sioux City and Dallas Texas.

He loved spending time with his family and friends who will recall many of his stories and perhaps having heard them more than once. Friends, family and his dogs all enjoyed Jim’s engagement and sincere straight-talking discussions.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Ellen; his sister, Carole (Fred) Frattaroli of Annville, Pa.; his daughter, Kim Schoffstall of Lebanon, Pa.; two granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Dr. John Craven (Anthea) of Fairbanks, AK, and Joe Craven (Locke) of Centennial, Colo.; seven nieces and nephews; and his dog, Nell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; numerous aunts and uncles; and his son-in-law, Charles Schoffstall.

The family wants to send a sincere thank you to the Holy Spirit Retirement Center for the loving care they provided Jim over the past 11 months.