Robert (Bob) James Speed went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at the age of 93. Bob was born April 1, 1916 in Shafter, Texas to the late Robert Eustis Speed and Ida Brooks Speed. The son of a Texas Ranger, Bob graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1939. He entered the service as a 2nd Lieutenant, served his country during World War II in Alaska, building runways in the Aleutian Islands and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953.

Bob then went to work for Union Carbide in Texas City, retiring after 25 years of service. He moved to Sublime, Texas and enjoyed his time in the country raising cattle and working his garden. In 1987 he met and fell in love at first sight with Othell Clements, and after a brief courtship made her his wife and moved to Hallettsville. Bob was active in The First Baptist Church of Hallettsville and especially enjoyed the time he spent renovating The Youth House on behalf of the church.

During the last 20 years of his life Bob was the catalyst that got the ball rolling to have the Shafter Cemetery declared a historical landmark. He spent untold hours researching the history and genealogy of the town of Shafter and its inhabitants, many of who were his kinfolk. The cemetery and his memorial were featured on The Eyes of Texas, a well-known TV program featuring unique places in the great state of Texas.

In 2007 Bob and Othell moved to Stevens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and made many friends with fellow residents and staff. Bob's favorite project was working in the courtyard, planting flowers, reworking the shrubs and continuously expounding on the virtues of what he felt was the drawing card for promoting census at the facility.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Othell Speed and extended family, Sharlotte & Louis Botard of Angleton, Dennis & Vickie Clements of Three Rivers and Debbie & James Stastny of Victoria; granddaughter Karen Stump and husband, Travis, of Goodwell, OK.; grandson Robert Y. Edmundson and wife, Me'Shele, of Tomball; three great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and their children, one nephew and numerous cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Penny Ann Edmundson; parents; and brother, George E. Speed.

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" ~ Psalms 122:1

Service: 2 pm, Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Tuesday at Kubena Funeral Home in Hallettsville. Officiate: Rev. Terry Horton. Pallbearers: Kris Thompson, Dwight McCord, Paul McGee, Charles Tompkins, J.C. Kelly, and John Thompson. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery. Memorials: First Baptist Church Youth House.