CLAUDE EVERETT SPEAKE
MARCH 20, 1927 - JULY 8, 2018
OBITUARY
Claude Speake, passed away on July 8, 2018, at the age of 91 years.
A native Texan, Claude was born in Gainesville and graduated from Gainesville High in 1944.
He served in WWII as a Merchant Marine from 1944-46.
He attended and graduated from the North Texas State University with a BS and a Masters in Education.
Claude served in Germany as a sergeant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1950-52 during the Korean War.
In 1952, he began his teaching career in Pampa, Texas where he met Evelyn Clayton, who was a music teacher and choir director of their church. Claude and Evelyn married on June 12, 1954. Evelyn passed away in February 2011. They were married 56 years.
Claude taught at Northwest High in Rhome, TX during the 55-56 school year. The rest of his teaching career was with the Birdville ISD. He was principal of W.T. Francisco Elementary from 66-86.
"Mr. Speake" was the consummate educator. He was fair minded, patient, honest and a lifelong learner. He knew something about almost everything. He read the newspaper from cover to cover, every day. He did his own taxes up into his 90th year.
He is survived by daughter, Claudia Dickson (Richard), and son, Paul Speake (Elisabeth), five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Claude's life will be held at 11 am, on Saturday, July 14, at the Spring Creek Church, Corner of West Spring Creek Road and FM 307 Gainesville, TX 76240. Potluck lunch will follow the service.
Memorial donations in memory of Claude can be made to:
Spring Creek Cemetery Foundation
624 W. University Dr. #315
Denton, Texas 76021
CLAUDE EVERETT SPEAKE
MARCH 20, 1927 - JULY 8, 2018
OBITUARY
Claude Speake, passed away on July 8, 2018, at the age of 91 years.
A native Texan, Claude was born in Gainesville and graduated from Gainesville High in 1944.
He served in WWII as a Merchant Marine from 1944-46.
He attended and graduated from the North Texas State University with a BS and a Masters in Education.
Claude served in Germany as a sergeant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1950-52 during the Korean War.
In 1952, he began his teaching career in Pampa, Texas where he met Evelyn Clayton, who was a music teacher and choir director of their church. Claude and Evelyn married on June 12, 1954. Evelyn passed away in February 2011. They were married 56 years.
Claude taught at Northwest High in Rhome, TX during the 55-56 school year. The rest of his teaching career was with the Birdville ISD. He was principal of W.T. Francisco Elementary from 66-86.
"Mr. Speake" was the consummate educator. He was fair minded, patient, honest and a lifelong learner. He knew something about almost everything. He read the newspaper from cover to cover, every day. He did his own taxes up into his 90th year.
He is survived by daughter, Claudia Dickson (Richard), and son, Paul Speake (Elisabeth), five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Claude's life will be held at 11 am, on Saturday, July 14, at the Spring Creek Church, Corner of West Spring Creek Road and FM 307 Gainesville, TX 76240. Potluck lunch will follow the service.
Memorial donations in memory of Claude can be made to:
Spring Creek Cemetery Foundation
624 W. University Dr. #315
Denton, Texas 76021
Family Members
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Sterling Stevens Speake
1911–1984
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Gladys Lucille Speake Sparkman
1913–2006
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Mary Katherine Speake Martin
1914–2004
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Mildred Mae Speake Hundley
1916–1993
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SGT Roy Herman Speake Jr
1918–1944
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Bertie Speake Calhoun
1920–2015
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Robert William Speake
1923–2005
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Bette Eugenia Speake Anderson
1925 – unknown
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Shirley Helen Speake Kennemer
1934–2021
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