James (Jim) Campbell Speer

James (Jim) Campbell Speer, the warm, funny and beloved patriarch of our family passed away on March 20, 2023, at the age of 91. Jim was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to Carlton and Sara (nee Campbell) Speer, brother of Carlton Speer III. He was a devoted husband to his late wife, Jo (nee Jacques) and treasured father to his daughters, Jennifer Silvestri (Jim) and Kendall Ellis (Bryan). His grandchildren, CJ (Aaryn), Kendall (Matt), Jeremy (Taylor) and Garrett (Morgan) were a source of joy in his life and loved his role as Grandad. He was especially proud of the relationships and lives they built and how they valued ‘family’. His great-granddaughter, Logan, only two, brought a very special light to his life. Two more great-granddaughters are scheduled to arrive this spring, and while sad he will not know them, they will know who he was through the many stories and memories of Granddad. Jim loved his family, and his country, honored to have been in the United States Army and stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he and Jo spent their first year of marriage sharing endless adventures. He graduated from Dickinson University with a degree in English and lifelong friends. He had a beautiful bass voice which he shared in college glee clubs, parties, and church choirs. He loved photography, played golf, tennis and skied into his seventies. He was also an avid football fan. At his core, there was always nature. For many years he could be found canoeing and sailing at his cherished Pocono home. That tiny spot in the mountains held his heart, from the porch to the lake -- it was the gathering of family and friends, and where he was most at peace.

He was a salesman, and never ashamed to say so. He held a long career in decals/graphics, including running his own company. While a Pennsylvania resident from birth, and the past 33 years, he raised his children in Wantagh, on Long Island, New York and considered himself “a real New Yorker”, reveling in his sales days in Manhattan and in his earlier family days, weekends at Jones Beach. His last home was in Doylestown, PA at Pine Run, Lakeview, a place where he quickly made friends and valued the kindness and dedication of the staff.

He loved the outdoors, anywhere, anytime. He spent many days during the past ten years in Ocean City, NJ, with family, sipping Scotch, enjoying his favorite foods and watching the birds. He was witty, warm, endearing, politically passionate, smart and humble. A glass of scotch, a cheeseburger, a Diana Krall song playing, all with his family around him, well, nothing was better than that.

His family will be holding a private celebration of his life following his cremation. Donations in his memory can be made to Wounded Warriors.

Send condolences to the family at www. huffandlakjer.com