Ralph Bornum Speer

Ralph Bornum Speer, age 93, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2019.  Graveside services are scheduled for 2 PM Monday, January 28, 2019 at Davidson Cemetery. Ralph was born on August 6, 1925, at his family home in Clinchco, Virginia, to Ival and Mary Rasnick Speer. He left home at age 18 to join the United States Navy. He was active in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Stormking as a member of the amphibian landing crew during World War II. Ralph eloped to Dallas, Texas, with the love of his life, Dorretha Gill Speer on December 15, 1946. They were married for 72 years and raised four children. He retired from General Tire in 1984, after 33 years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and working cows on his family farm. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in all of their activities, especially sporting events. Ralph was a dedicated family man that spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren and was an active member of Pecan Grove Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his father; Ival Speer, mother; Mary Speer, sisters; Lucille, June, Betty, and Dot; brother, John and granddaughter, Kristy Alyne. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Dorretha Speer; brother, Ival Speer Jr.; children, Carolyn White and husband, Jon, Brenda Talley and husband, Kenneth, Vivian Speer, and Stewart Speer and wife, Misty. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael and Danny White, Clay Ramsey, Bonnie Stockton, Wayne Weber, Angela Avant, Ashley Ashby, Halee Bownds, Dorre and Jeff Speer; 23 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends who will dearly miss him.