REV. JERRY J. SPEER, 79, of Ranger, TX went to
be with the Lord, on Oct. 2, 2006 in Palo Pinto County,
with burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, TX.
Jerry was born on Feb. 19, 1927 in Wichita Falls, TX,
to Jethro Jesse & Cora Ellen Virginia (Rounsaville).
He graduated high school at Holiday High School and
attended Ranger Jr. College, until he was drafted
into the U.S. Army. He served during the end of WWII
from 1945 to 1950. After he was honorably discharged,
he married Dorothy Sorell in Sept. of 1950 at the First
Baptist Church in Breckenridge, TX. He was a loving
devoted husband, Dad & Grandpa.
Jerry then continued his education graduating from
Hardin-Simmons University in 1951 with a Bachelor of
Science degree, and Southwestern Theological Seminary.
Jerry served as pastor and interim pastor in Frankell,
TX, Crystal Falls, TX, Union Hill, Paducah, Elemer, OK,
First Baptist, Barnett Mission in Pampa, TX, First
Baptist in McCamey, TX, Jean Baptist in Jean, TX,
Greenhill Baptist in Snyder, TX, Eastside Baptist in
Ranger and interim for many, many more churches in the
surrounding area.
He received his Pastor Emeritus for high honors upon
such a man of God in 1998. He was a member of the
Eastside Baptist Church & taught Sunday School there.
Jerry was also well known for his pipe yard business,
buying and selling oilfield pipe to all corners of
Texas. Jerry was a honorable man, a religious man,
and a great friend to many many people and will be
very much missed by all.
At the time of his death, Jerry was survived by: his
wife of 56 years, Dorothy of Ranger; a daughter, Becky
Speer Wilson (RHS-1973) & husband Richey of Waxahachie,
TX; a son, Jesse Speer (RHS-1971) & wife Lenora of
Ranger; grandchildren; Lisa Morrow (RHS-1989) and
husband Shane, J. Speer and wife Mandy, Miranda
Graham (RHS-1999) and husband Darly, Candy McGee &
Chris, Tasha Langford; great-grandchildren, Hayden,
Jacob, Ashtyn, Sandy, Tori, & Brooklyn.
WIFE: DOROTHY RUTH SORELL SPEER, 90 of Ranger,
TX passed away Jan. 19, 2017, with burial in the
Evergreen Cemetery.
Mrs. Speer was born on May 6, 1926 in Lueders, TX to
Frank Clifton and Pearl (Cowan) Sorell, the oldest of
three children. At the young age of 8, the family lost
their dad in a fire accident. Dorothy helped her mom
taking care of her very young brothers. The family
remained on the family farm and working together they
became a very close loving family. She attended Lueders
ISD and graduated May, 1943. She attended and graduated
from Abilene Draughns Business College. Passing the
Civil Service Test, she worked for Dyess Air Base in
Abilene until it closed. She worked for Stamford Flying
School, keeping books on all the planes. She moved to
Breckenridge in 1946 where she worked for Dr. Youngblood,
Eye/Nose/Throat Specialist. She kept books at Western
Auto for a short time. She took piano and voice lessons,
and recorded an album. She was in a trio with Dorothy
Burton & Loueva Loving. The trio won State in the Baptist
Young Peoples Union.
She was hired in 1947 as Secretary for First Baptist
Church, Breckenridge. While working there she met a
young preacher, Jerry John Speer. They were married in]
Sept. of 1950 in Breckenridge. They moved to Abilene
where they both attended Hardin Simmons University. Jerry
& Dorothy began their hearts desire of serving the Lord
through the ministry.
In 1951-1953 they moved to Paducah to pastor Harmony Baptist
Church. While there they were blessed with the birth of their
first child, Jesse Frank Speer. In 1953-1955 they were called
to pastor Elmer Baptist Church, Elmer, Oklahoma where their
daughter, Rebecca Jo Speer was born. In 1955-1958 the Speer
family joined Barrett Missions in Pampa, TX. In 1958-1962
found the Speer family serving First Baptist Church in McCamey.
In 1962-1965 they pastor-ed First Baptist Church in Jean, TX.
In 1965-1968 they served at Green Hill Baptist Church in Snyder.
In 1968 they moved to Ranger where they joined the First Baptist
Church. Dorothy worked as church secretary, Women’s Missionary
Union director, children’s Sunday School teacher, Church pianist,
choir member and countless other jobs surrounding the churches
they served. In 1968 she was hired as Secretary for Ranger Jr/Sr
High School for a semester, then as Secretary for the Superintendent
of Ranger ISD until 1970. 1970-1992 Dorothy served as Registrar for
Ranger Jr College. She received numerous awards including an award
by the Jr. College Students and Personal Association of Texas for
Outstanding Service to Students & Contribution to Student Development
for Community Colleges & Jr. Colleges of Texas. In 1985, she was
awarded RJC Rangers “Winning Tradition” award given by the Lions
Club and was awarded Honorary Navy Recruiter for dedication and
support of the Navy Recruiting Command, March 1991. She retired
from RJC in the Spring of 1992 after 21 ½ years.
They then served Eastside Baptist Church for several years. On
Oct. 2, 2006 Dorothy lost her life’s partner after 56 years of
marriage. Dorothy enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing, & cooking.
She is well known for her famous “Pecan Pies”. Most important to
her were her family.
She is survived by a son, Jesse Speer and wife Lenora; a daughter,
Becky Wilson and husband Rickey; 6 grandchildren, Lisa Morrow and
husband Shane, Rickey Speer, J Speer & wife Mandy, Miranda Garcia
and husband Juan, Tasha Haygood and husband Jonathan, and Candy
Wilson. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Hayden
Prosise, Jacob & Ashtyn Morrow, Tyler, Rikki, & Timber Speer, Tori,
Brooklyn & Marli Speer, Jessa, Jayce & JettAce Garcia, and Sandy &
Jerry Wilson.