P. Ray Speer

Mr. P. Ray Speer, 93, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at his home in Fort Meade, FL.   Mr. Speer was born January 4, 1930 in Arcadia, FL and was a longtime resident of Fort Meade.  He was the Chief Appraiser for the Dept. of Transportation in Tallahassee, FL and the Executive Director for the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and a veteran of both the U.S. Navy where he was an aircraft technician, and the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was an amphibious tank driver.    

       Mr. Speer graduated high school from  DeSoto High School in 1948 and attended the University of Florida and was a proud lifelong Gator supporter.  He was past President and Board member of the Greater Tampa Jr. Golf Assoc., former Chief of the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Dept., past President of the Brandon Leaguearettes Softball, member and past President of the Historical Society of Fort Meade, and a member of the Fort Meade Methodist Church.  

         Mr. Speer was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Preston Speer and Annie Gladys Tillis Speer; his wife, Betty Moody Speer; sister, Laurie Speer Duke; and his best friend, Edward Kemp.

          He is survived by his daughters, Constance Gail Speer, Fort Meade, FL, Carole Speer Faircloth and husband Scott, St. James City, FL, Laurie Speer Haynes and husband Tony, Elizabethton, TN; grandchildren, Brett Smith and wife Natalie, Michael Smith and wife Hillary, Kaleigh Smith Graham and husband Mason, Rhiannon Hillsgrove, Sumner Hillsgrove, Chaise Faircloth, Geneva Presutti, Dusty Haynes; and twelve great-grandchildren.

            Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade, FL.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Doug Harrell officiating.  Interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, FL.   In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial contributions in Mr. Speer's memory to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

            Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171