Richard O."Dick" Speir, Sr.

Richard O. ("Dick") Speir, 90, a longtime resident of Northeast Atlanta, husband and father, died Monday, January 24, 2011. Dick was born in Detroit, Michigan June 11, 1920. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Catherine Speir, and his wife, Margaret ("Peg") Speir. In 1938, Dick graduated from Central High School in Detroit, Michigan, where he was a local Golden Gloves boxing champion. Dick entered Michigan State University, where he was a member and officer of Psi Upsilon fraternity. Leaving pre-dental school to serve in the US Army during WWII, Dick returned to college and graduated from Michigan State where a common interest in music united him with Margaret Mary Jackson, whom he married in 1948. Dick and his family moved to Atlanta in 1963, where he continued to pursue a long and successful career in sales. He was an avid pianist, organist, singer, dancer, bowler and golfer. Dick was a "scratch" golfer well into his 70's, and enjoyed the game immensely. He took great pride in having scored several holes in one. Dick was a member of the Atlanta Seniors Golfers Association and Atlanta-Northlake Elks Lodge # 78, where he was an organist. Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Richard O. Speir, Jr. and Jeanne G. Speir, Christopher R. Speir, Mark H. Speir and Joan R. Speir; daughter and son-in-law, Susan S. Deming and Michael D. Deming, Sr.; grandchildren, Richard A. Speir, Robert J. Speir, Alicia S. Spraggins, R. Justin Speir, Zachary B. Speir, Emily E. Speir, Kathryn D. Croft, Michael D. Deming, Jr.; and 2 great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Elks Aidmore, Inc., 2394 Morrison Rd., Conyers, Ga. 30094, or to the American Heart Association. Memorial services and a celebration of Dick's life will be held Saturday, January 29th at four o'clock at A. S. Turner & Sons. Reverend Scott Emmons and Reverend Richard Jones will officiate. Friends are invited to visit with the family Saturday from two o'clock until the hour of service at A. S. Turner & Sons, 2773 North Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA. 30033; (404) 292-1551.

Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033