James Edward Speaker

James (Jim) Edward Speaker Sr. October 8, 1926 - December 3, 2010 James Edward Speaker, Sr. passed from this life at the age of 84 early Friday morning, December 3, 2010 at San Juan Regional Medical Center ICU, surrounded by his loving wife Winona of 61 years and their family. Jim was born October 8, 1926 at home in Briggsdale, CO to George and Elizabeth Speaker. He was the 4th of 10 children who were raised on their Briggsdale farm. He never stopped loving the farm life and while he wasn’t able to do it for a living as he would have liked, he continued on a smaller scale with Winona until he was no longer able to do so because of his declining health. Jim attended Sunnydale School until the 8th grade. While his formal education may have stopped, he never stopped learning and listening. His wisdom and dry wit were legendary. He started dating Winona (Nona) Hart in May of 1949. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1949 in Greeley, CO. Shortly thereafter, they moved into what Mother Speaker called their “pigeon house” on a farm outside Windsor, CO where Jim worked as a farmhand. Jim started his oilfield career after that, working first driving a water truck and working his way up through the years, ending his career as a Drilling Superintendent. Through the years Jim worked for SD Johnson, Cactus Drilling, Arapahoe Drilling and Brinkerhoff Signal, often being transferred to many different locations including SD, WY, CO, NE, CA and NM. Jim retired in 1986 from Brinkerhoff Signal Drilling Co. and Jim and Nona moved back to Aztec, NM from CA. He and Nona enjoyed gardening and going out on their boat and fishing together. What meant the most to Jim was his family; everything he did was for his family that he loved dearly. One of his favorite things was the many family get-togethers, which are always full of love, laughter, food and talking. Despite his declining health, due in part to rheumatoid arthritis and congestive heart failure, he never complained or took his frustration out on anyone. He didn’t have a selfish bone in his body and was one of those rare people that are an example of how to live your life. He lived his life with dignity, honor and principle. Those ideals carried him through life and that example is what makes his family so proud to call him Husband, Dad and Grandpa. Together Jim and Winona created a beautiful example of what marriage and family can and should be. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth; brothers Dan, Harold, Arnold, George, Herbert and Vernie and sisters Viola and Ella. His youngest sister Karen (Tom, Misty) Minor of Ft. Collins, CO survives him. Jim is survived by his best friend and wife of 61 years Winona (Nona) Speaker; their children James Jr (Sherry) of Sulphur Springs, TX: Randy (Alice) of Ignacio, CO; Ellyn (Art) Bostick of Albuquerque, NM; Deena Daggett of Farmington, NM and Laura Speaker of Aztec, NM. Grandchildren: Tawnya Byarlay, Jason Speaker, Rachel (Larry) Landron, Lisa Speaker, Nathan Bostick, Rebekah Speaker, Desiree (Aaron) Frost, Aaron (Desiree) Speaker, Chris Daggett, Mandi (Jeffrey) Denton, Sonya Daggett and Baylee Speaker. Great-Grandchildren: Emily, Sarah and Nathaniel Byarlay, Miranda Speaker, Khristian and Austin Lindley, Robert James Denton, Caleb Speaker and another Great-Grandson due on February 25, 2011. Jim is also survived by former daughter-in-law Jeannie Schmitt and son-in-law Howard Daggett, “adopted” daughter Erin Smith, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who admired him greatly. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be Saturday, July 2, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm at Northside Church of Christ in Farmington, NM where Jim and Nona are members. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall with finger foods, memories, hugs, laughter and love in honor of this great man. We don’t regret the transformation you just have made, but we will miss the old version of you. We’ll miss you until the end of forever. We love you most.