Roy H. Speechly

Roy H. Speechly

OGDEN - Roy Harry Speechly, 93, passed away peacefully in his home, Sunday, October 3, 2010 with his beloved wife, Ruby and members of his family at his bedside. He was born July 6, 1917 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Henry Howard and Lucy Poyzer Speechly, recent emigrants from Nottingham, England. The family moved to Ogden, Utah in 1920. Roy was the second of three sons. Roy was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Eric (Melba) Speechly.

Defined by the great depression, Roy valued hard work. As a youth, he held down several newspaper and magazine routes, often giving his earnings to his parents to help make ends meet. Through his hard work, he was able to pay cash for his first car, a used 1931 Model ''A'' Ford.

Roy graduated from the old Ogden High School in 1937. On August 25, 1941, Roy married his sweetheart Ruby Barker in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roy enlisted in the US Navy. He served aboard the USS aircraft carrier Kitkin Bay as an electrician''s mate, 3rd class, where he was an eyewitness to many of the greatest sea battles in the Pacific. It was during the Battle of Leyte Gulf that his ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze airplane. The impact knocked out all power to his ship. In characteristic form, Roy risked his life by volunteering to restore power to the ship, standing only feet above two live, 500 lbs bombs that failed to explode on impact. For his bravery, Roy received special recognition from his commanding officer.

Following the war, he worked as an auto parts salesman for Town Supply. In 1952, he began his career with State Farm Insurance, building the second largest State Farm Agency in Northern Utah. After 34 years, he retired in 1986 at age 70. Roy loved his policyholders and they loved him. Four of his children and one grandson followed him into the insurance business.

In retirement, Roy and Ruby wintered in St George, Utah where he enjoyed golf, reading and making his homemade, Weber County Fair-Blue Ribbon winning, cactus jelly for family and friends.

During his life, Roy and Ruby enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing trips.

In 1996, during a trip to England, Roy was reunited with his English cousins, something that gave him great joy.

Roy was a kind, generous, loving and compassionate man to his family and friends. He held a deep love for America and was always proud to have served it when called. He was an active member of the Ogden Kingston Ward, formerly the Ogden 50th Ward. He provided financial support not only for his three sons to serve LDS missions but also funded missions for several other young men from his LDS stake. He remained mentally alert through to the day of his passing.

He is survived by his wife Ruby, their five children, Richard (Melanie) Speechly, Layton; Sherrie (Scott) Hansen, Cedar City; Craig (Gayle) Speechly, North Ogden; Brent (Holli) Speechly, Ogden and Suzan (Max) Bruce, Layton. He is also survived by his dear brother, Clifford S. (Anita) Speechly, Jeffersonville, IN, with whom he held a special bond; his 19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren with four more on their way.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of the McKay-Dee Hospital, his private health-care aids and Advocate Hospice for the loving and professional care given Roy.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 8th at 1:00 p.m. at Kingston Ward Chapel, 1425 Kingston Drive (36th St. and Polk Ave.), Ogden, Utah.

Friends may visit with family at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Kingston Ward Chapel.

Interment will take place at Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider making a donation in Roy''s memory to the Utah Food Bank at: www.utahfoodbank.org/give-now.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com