SPEIGHTS, James Melton (Jim)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, August 12, 2016, page 8a James Melton Speights (Jim), 77, Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, at his home in Prescott. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Marilyn; his son, James R. Speights; two grandchildren, Stevi Speights and Sean Tuckett; his brother, Dan; and sisters, Pat and Eula. Born and raised in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, Jim was the eighth of 11 children born to Annie and Jack Speights. He graduated from Jordan High School in Long Beach, California. After high school, he became manager of the Woolworth’s Department store in Anaheim, California, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Marilyn. He was drafted into the Army, and served from 1963 to 1966. Jim spent most of his adult life in Southern California working as an Executive with international paper distributors including Noland, La Salle, Spicers, and Unisource Papers Worldwide. After retiring to the Prescott area in 2001, Jim worked as a real estate agent, first for West USA Realty, and most recently for Flex Realty. He enjoyed volunteering for the COPS program, where he assisted local Prescott law enforcement. Jim is remembered by friends and family for his kindness, helpfulness, generosity, fun-loving nature, and love of family. A graveside memorial will be held on Monday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m. at the Veterans National Cemetery in Prescott. Information provided by survivors.