Dennis R. Speak, of New Cambria, Missouri, passed away on July 25, 2023, in Lawson, Missouri.
Mr. Speak was born October 9, 1943, in Calico Rock, Arkansas. He served in the Masonic Lodge Sheffield #625 for 43 years. He worked for Manley Transfer Co Inc. from 1967 to 1981 followed by Teamsters Local 41 from 1981 to 2001 as a Business Agent and then as Secretary of Treasurer. He retired from the Teamsters in 2001 and returned to his farm in New Cambria, Missouri. He enjoyed hunting pheasants and coons with bird dogs and coon dogs that he raised. He also enjoyed taking care of his black angus cows while running a coral panel business. He was a loving father and grandpa to five grandkids and 14 great grandchildren who he loved to take fishing.
When he was not working on the farm, you could find him sitting in his chair watching westerns and drinking coffee.
Dennis was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Norma Speak; parents, Samuel Fizer Speak and Ruby Faye Hamilton Speak; son-in-law, Timothy John Gant; oldest grandson, Bradley Jarvis Abeln; and sister, Mary Ann Dickerson.
He is survived by his daughter, Lenora Ann Gant of Lawson, Missouri; granddaughters, Melinda Vroom (Jon), Hardin, Missouri, Amelia Gant (Michael) Gracemor, Missouri, and Lindsey Hicks (Zac), Polo, Missouri; his grandson, Brandon Abeln (Amy), Liberty, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Candie Kaufman, Polo, Missouri; 14 great grandchildren; brothers, Benny Speak (Nelda), Mountain Home, Arkansas, Doug Speak (Mary), Holt, Missouri, and Donnie Speak (Mary), Calico Rock, Arkansas; and three sisters, Barbra Taylor, Anderson, Indiana, Melinda Taylor (Weldon), Florida, and Gwen Patterson, Calico Rock, Arkansas.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, at New Hope Cemetery in Liberty, Missouri.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home Lawson Chapel, Lawson.
Our Sincere Condolences
Dennis is 1 of the finest person I have ever met in my life, he taught me so much about the union they led me to be come an agent for local 41. I for one will miss him so much I truly loved this man. I’m sending my condolences to his remaining family. May god give them & him peace,
Ralph E. Norton
Rest well my friend!
Dana Graf
