SPEAKS, James Richard

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, March 5, 2003 James R. Speaks, 93, of Pinetop, AZ, passed away March 1, 2003. Military Service: US Army, WWII. Funeral Mass at 12:15pm, Thurs., March 6, St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church in Pinetop. Cryptside services at 2pm, Friday, March 7, 2003 at St. Francis Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. Contributions: RTA Hospice Foundation, 5658 Hwy. 260 #5, Lakeside, AZ 85929. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, March 6, 2003 James R. Speaks, age 93, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2003, in Pinetop, Arizona. Jim was born in Tucson, Arizona, December 8, 1909, to James and Cora Speaks. Jim was raised in Wilcox, Arizona where he worked on their family ranch near Wilcox. He also operated a feed and fuel store in Wilcox before joining the Arizona Highway Department in 1937 where he was placed in charge of Port of Entry Checking Stations. Jim joined the army in 1941 and during World War II he served in Africa, Italy and Central Europe. Jim joined the U.S. Border Patrol and began duty on August 2, 1941. He resumed service after World War II, and held duty assignments with the Immigration Service in El Paso, Presidio, St. Paul, Yuma, Tucson, Globe and Phoenix. While in Globe, Jim met and married his wife Rose in 1948. He later became a pilot for the Immigration Service and retired from the Phoenix, Arizona District Office in July 1970 as Assistant Director for Investigations. After retirement they moved to Pinetop, Az.. He was a member of Williams Bloys Post #2 American Legion of Tempe, Az. and was also an honorary member of the Show Low Elks Lodge #2090. Jim was an involved person who focused on service and assistance to others. Jim is survived by his wife Rose of Pinetop, one daughter, Karen Mathis, a son-in-law, John Mathis; a granddaughter, Kimberly Blaner of Winter Springs, Fla.; one sister, Marjorie and her husband George Hamilton of Thatcher; two nieces, Sharon Johnson of Tucson and Barbara Prestridge of Thatcher, Az.; and one nephew, Donald CaIdwell of Charlotte, N.C. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church, 1915 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop, on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at 12:15 P.M., with graveside services will be held at St. Francis Cemetery, 5005 E. Oak St., Phoenix, Az., on Friday, March 7, 2003 at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the following: RTA Hospice Foundation, 5658 Hwy. 260, #5, Lakeside, Az., 85929 or St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church Bldg. Fund, P.O. Box 819, Pinetop, Az., 85935. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/07/2003 James R. Speaks, 93, died Saturday, March 1, 2003 in Pinetop. Jim was born in Tucson Dec. 8, 1909, to James and Cora Speaks. Jim was raised in Willcox where he worked on their farm near Willcox. He also operated a feed and fuel store in Willcox before joining the Arizona Highway Department in 1937 where he placed in charge of Port of Entry Checking Stations. Jim joined the army in 1941 and during World War II he served in Africa, Italy and Central Europe. Jim joined the U.S. Border Patrol and began duty Aug. 2, 1941. He resumed service after World War Ii, and held duty assignments with the Immigration Service in El Paso, Presidio, St. Paul, Yuma, Tucson, Globe and Phoenix. While in Globe, Jim met and married his wife in Rose in 1948. He later became a pilot for the Immigration Service and retired from the Phoenix District Office in July 1970 as Assistant Director for Investigations. After retirement they moved to Pinetop. He was a member of Williams Bloys Post No. 2 American Legion of Tempe and was also an honorary member of the Show Low Elks Lodge No. 2090. Jim was an involved person who focused on service and assistance to others. Jim is survived by his wife Rose of Pinetop; one daughter, Karen Mathis; a son-in-law John Mathis; a granddaughter Kimberly Blaner of Winter Springs, Florida; one sister, Marjorie (George) Hamilton of Thatcher; two nieces, Sharon Johnson of Tucson and Barbara Prestridge of Thatcher; and one nephew, Donald Caldwell of Charlotte, North Carolina. A funeral mass was held at St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church in Pinetop March 6. Graveside services will be held at St. Francis Cemetery, 5005 E. Oak St. in Phoenix Friday, March 7 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following: RTA Hospice Foundation, 5658 Hwy 260, No. 5, Lakeside, AZ 85929 or St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church Bldg. Fund, P.O. Box 819, Pinetop, AZ 85935.