John Speaker

John Edward Speaker passed away on October 1, 2014, at the age of 83. He was born January 24, 1931 in Stigler, Oklahoma, the son of John Louis Speaker and Mary Ann (Hahn) Speaker. He grew up and attended school in Stigler, graduating as valedictorian of his high school class.\r\n\r\nJohn attended Oklahoma State University where he was active in student affairs and was an honor student. He served as editor of the student newspaper, The Daily O'Collegian, was president of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society, and a member of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity. He was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and graduated with degrees in journalism and business. \r\n\r\nFollowing graduation he worked briefly for the Ponca City (Oklahoma) News, then married a high school sweetheart, Janice Aldridge. The Speakers moved to Corpus Christi, TX where he joined Central Power and Light Company. John and Janice were blessed with three daughters, Anita Kay, Cynthia, and Cheryl.\r\n\r\nJohn spent his entire career in the electric utility industry, starting as an advertising assistant in Corpus Christi, advanced to advertising manager, and later director of public relations for CPL. His recovery and communication efforts after Hurricane Celia were recognized with the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Response Award in 1970. He moved to Wisconsin in 1976 as director of communications for Wisconsin Electric Power Company, then held a variety of positions there including communications vice president, vice president of public affairs, and assistant to the chairman of the board. \r\n\r\nHe had a keen interest in community affairs and political activities in every community he lived. He participated in United Way and Girl Scout activities, served as a precinct chairman and was a delegate to several state political conventions. He served as president of the Corpus Christi Advertising Federation and the Texas Public Relations Association, and later was national president of the Electric Information Council. \r\n\r\nWhen Milwaukee and other "rust belt" cities were suffering big job losses in the 1980s, John was responsible for organizing the highly successful economic development program, "Wisconsin Business in a Fine State," which spurred business growth and led to the development of the state's economic stimulus program known as Forward Wisconsin. The Edison Electric Institute recognized Wisconsin Electric for this effort with its most coveted award, and John was recognized as well with the Distinguished Service Award in 1986 and induction into the Arthur H. Page Society, a group with stringent selection criteria consisting of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and senior PR executives. \r\n\r\n\r\nFollowing the death of his first wife, John returned to Corpus Christi to visit and had a chance encounter with Dee Bavender, a family friend from 20 years earlier. After a cross-country courtship, they were married a year later at a simple ceremony attended by their seven children, their grandchildren and a few friends. Dee retired after 27 years as a school teacher, and she moved to Milwaukee where they lived for a year and a half until John's retirement. They moved to Kerrville, TX in 1996.\r\n\r\nJohn has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as an usher, a member of the Fisherman's Club, and a member of the 21st Century Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Kerrville Rotary Club, Hill Country Kilowatt Group and Riverhill Country Club. He also served as a Republican precinct chairman.\r\n\r\nJohn and Dee had an active interest in history and traveled extensively. They visited all 50 state capitols, compiling a record of historical sites along the way, and traveled to more than 25 foreign countries. \r\n\r\nSurvivors include his wife, Dee; three daughters, Cheryl Speaker and Cynthia Franzetti Hall of Austin, Anita Kay Gorham of Waukesha, Wisconsin; four step children, Heather Zapp of Houston, Gregory Bavender of Des Moines, Iowa, Bonnie Thomas of Corpus Christi, Elizabeth Trupiano of Dallas, 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. \r\n\r\nMemorials to First United Methodist Church in Kerrville, TX or Mayo Clinic Foundation in Rochester, MN. Arrangements made by Grimes Funeral Chapel in Kerrville, TX 830-257-4544. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Kerrville. \r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]