Obituary of James guy speed

Commander James Guy Speed, USN (Ret), a Naval Aviator and patriot, passed away in Pensacola, FL, on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the age of 78. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 14, 1943. He was predeceased by his father, LCDR Harvey Guy Speed, USN (Ret), his mother, Irene Virginia Arnson Speed, his brother, CAPT Dan L. Speed, USN (Ret), his sister, Dianna Lynn Speed, and his much-loved dog companion, Lady Katie. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Carolyn Robert Speed, and his beloved son and family: Joseph and daughter-in-law Marisa and grandchildren, Dash and Dylan, of whom he was so proud, of Scottsdale, Arizona. A person who thrived on learning, Jim graduated from high school in Port Lyautey, Morocco. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University. He also obtained a Management Information Systems degree and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of West Florida and was a graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Jim followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a Navy pilot. He spent two tours of duty with squadron VA-144, flying A-4 Skyhawk jets off the aircraft carrier Bonne Homme Richard, during the Vietnam War and received the Purple Heart. Subsequent duties included: Jet Flight Instructor at VT-4, Pensacola; Guided Missiles Officer and Officer of the Deck, on the aircraft carrier, USS Midway, in Yokosuka, Japan; Human Resources Management Consultant in Norfolk, VA; Operations Officer for VRC-50 in Cubi Point, Philippines, flying business jets throughout the Far East; Naval War College. A versatile person, he then went into financial management, as the Comptroller for USNS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico for five years as well as the Comptroller for NETPMA, Saufley Field, Pensacola. His military service awards, in addition to the Purple Heart, included: Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and many others. Following retirement from the Navy, Jim pursued new avenues. He taught computer science at the University of West Florida and worked in the MIS Department at the Children’s Services Center and the State’s Attorney’s Office, in Pensacola. He was the Management Information Systems Director for the Dept. of Families and Children, State of Florida, for a five-county area in Central Florida, the intake director for Denver Technical College (Devry), Colorado Springs, and a consultant for Oracle Corporation in Silicon Valley, Calif. Jim was a unique, multi-talented person. He raced motorcycles in Europe, was a competitive diver, and played sports in younger years. Loving animals, he volunteered for two animal rescue organizations. He had a special affinity for water, as a scuba diver with his wife, water skier, swimmer, and boater. He always enjoyed traveling to faraway places, as well as car rides to Alabama with his “buddy”, Katie. And, he loved telling his many stories. He was a lifetime member of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. He loved his family, friends, and country. His service will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, with full military honors, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. Anyone attending should meet at the parking lot of Olive Baptist Church - Warrington Campus, 103 W. Winthrop St., (off Navy Blvd.) by 12:30 for the procession. Following his service, the family invites attendees to the banquet room, Sonny’s BBQ, 630 N. Navy Blvd., for late lunch and fellowship. The Speed family thanks Jim’s doctors, Fresenius, Kindred Home Care, and Sacred Heart Hospital for their care. In lieu of flowers, a charitable contribution, if desired, may be made to The Haven for Animals, P. O. Box 1063, Fairhope, AL 36533, the 501(c)3 nonprofit animal rescue from which Lady Katie was adopted.