Gerald Wayne Speer, 62, of Rector died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Regional Medical Center of NEA in Jonesboro.

He was born Aug. 3, 1941, in Greenway, the son of the late Earl Estel Speer and Emma Jean (Cox) Speer.

He was retired from 33 years of military and civil Service and was a softball coach for the Red Birds/NAPA. He was a member of Rector First Baptist Church and a lifelong member of the community.

He married Trudie Ann Elliott on June 11, 1961, in Hargrave Corner.

He was preceded in death one brother, Doyle Speer.

Survivors include his wife, Trudie of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Annece and Steve Bailey of Paragould and Gayle and Terry Lovelace of Rogers; three brothers, Wendell Speer of Healey, Alaska, Wayland Speer of Jonesboro and Harold Speer of Greenway; one sister

Melva Kennard of Paragould; three grandchildren, Amanda Bailey, Hayden Lovelace, and Jayme Lovelace, and

numerous other friends and relatives.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30,

at Rector First Baptist Church with Rev. Ardell

Polk, Rev. Kenny Burns and Rev. Jerry Muckenstern

officiating.

Burial was in Mitchell Cemetery near Greenway

with Irby Funeral Home of Rector in charge of

arrangements.

Pallbearers were Gary Cupp, George Wilson, John Thompson, Erwin Nelson, John Johnson, Brian Massey, Don Parmenter, Pat Niederkorn, Robbie Bearden and Ronald Coleman.

Honarary pallbearers were members of the 875th Engineering Battalion, emergency personnel of Arkansas

Methodist Medical Center and Medic One.