James (Jim) Speck of McKinney, Texas formerly of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan passed away on May 9, 2017, at the age of 82. He was born December 4, 1934, to Albert Speck and Florence Isabel (Feuchter) Speck in Peoria, Illinois. He grew up in Peoria where he graduated from Spaulding Academy in 1952. He then graduated from Bradley University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Jim married Rita Ruth Munford Ballard on November 30, 1974, in Franklin, Michigan. He later went on to receive his MBA from Wayne State University. As an engineer, his career included designing for NASA, Chrysler, and T.A.C.O.M. Jim enjoyed bowling, golf, boating, and fishing. His love of the outdoors began when he was a young scout. He shared that love with his family through legendary camping trips across the United States and Canada. As his family grew, Jim wanted to find a place for his family to gather. He found that spot in northern Michigan where he enjoyed over 20 years gathering with his family, friends, grandkids, and dogs of many sizes.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rita Speck of McKinney, Texas; children, Jim Speck, of Denver, Colorado, Mary Speck of Palmdale, California, David Ballard of Seattle, Washington, Michael Ballard and wife Debbie Mossong of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Nancy Labadie and husband Brian of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Alison Ballard, Michael Ballard, Frances Ballard, Maria Ballard, Ryan Ballard and wife Taylor, Justin Ballard, Alex Mossong, Brittany Labadie, and Zachary Labadie; brother, Albert Speck and wife Barbara of Springfield, Illinois; and a host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, May 13, 2017 at First United Methodist Church of McKinney where he attended. A private entombment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. A rosary is set for 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the SPCA of North Texas at spca.org and/or Nature Conservancy at nature.org.