Lt. Col. Fred L. Speer

Fred Lewis Speer, Lt. Col. Retired, U. S. Army, passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening, December 27, 2005, at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 10, 1919, in Blount County, TN, the younger of two sons of Delia and Lee Speer. He attended Everett High School and Maryville College. During his military service he was captured and was held as a Prisoner of War until the war was over. After his military service, he was employed by Sears Roebuck and Company. He enjoyed travel, history, music and the Smoky Mountains. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sara Lou Stephens Speer; son, Mike Speer; and brother, James, also a long-time resident of Blount County. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Rhea Speer; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren. Family and friends will meet at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Magnolia Cemetery for a military graveside service, with Military Honors being provided by the Veterans United Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 900 E. Hill Avenue, Suite 240, Knoxville, TN 37915 or to the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, P. O. Box 5650, Sevierville, TN 37864. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com