Kenneth Speake

Kenneth Eugene Speake was born February 23, 1940, to Gerald and Eva Speake in Woodbine, Iowa. Kenneth died on Friday, June, 7 2013, in Bryant, Arkansas at the age of 73 years, three months and 15 days. Kenneth graduated from Woodbine high School in 1957 and proudly served his county in the United States Air Force for four years. After two years overseas duty in Japan he was stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base. While in Arkansas he met and later married Linda Lou Gossage. Together they had five sons. Kenneth was honorable discharged on September 28, 1962. After serving in the Air Force and the birth of their first son, they moved to Iowa. Kenneth then farmed for several years, then bought and operated Speake Oil Co. When all their boys were grown and away from home, the Lord called Kenneth to missionary work feeding the children in Africa. They later sold their business, homes, and personal property and moved to Texas to attend Ministry School. Kenneth then accepted a position with Jesus Alive Ministries ( J.A.M. International) and moved to South Africa. They lived there for two years and then moved back to Texas to manage the USA Office for J.A.M. International.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Lincoln Speake and his son Kenneth Steven Speake. He is survived by his wife, Linda Speake of Benton, Arkansas; four sons, Robbie Dean Speake and his wife Susan of Benton, Arkansas and their daughters Robin and Mikayla; Wendal Gene Speake and his wife Ronna of Hampton, Iowa and their children Thomas, Kathryn Jerel and Jessica; Casey Brian Speake and his wife Vicki of Colo, Iowa and their children Josef, Amanda, Alyssa, David and Ella; Jason Daniel Speake and his wife Tiffany of Winston Salem, North Carolina and their children Linda Kathryn, Noah and Judah; his mother, Eva Speake of Woodbine, Iowa; brother, Virgil Speake and his wife Kay of Fountain Hills, Arizona; and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial Services were held on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:30 am at the New Sound Community Church in Benton, Arkansas under the direction of the Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas. Graveside services were held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Woodbine Cemetery with Dencil Hammack officiating and Phil Lubbers providing music. The Woodbine Weiss American Legion Post # 143 provided the military graveside rites. Fouts Funeral Home of Woodbine, Iowa was in charge of the local services.