John William Speed Sr

John "Johnny" William Speed Sr., 91, of Farmington, loving father and devoted husband sadly passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017. He was born Oct. 18, 1925, in Gainesville, Texas to Myra Jolly and Robert Oliver Speed Sr., the youngest of six children. John served our country in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1956 in an anti-aircraft battery. In 1953, Johnny married Lillian Kemp of Houston, Texas where he was a firefighter. The young Speed family moved to Aztec in 1958 during the oil and gas boom of that time. John's firefighter skills enabled him to save a man in Aztec who had intentionally set a house on fire in a suicide attempt. John Speed continued to worked in the oil and gas industry with El Paso Natural Gas until retirement. Johnny loved being outdoors, gardening, mountains, rock hounding, card and domino games, reading about "long lost treasures" and always a watchful eye on the weather. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. Johnny loved The Lord and his family. He will be greatly missed for his laughter, patience and protective enduring spirit. He epitomized selfless service to nation and community but above all to family. May he rest in well-deserved peace and God bless his soul. Dad you will always be loved and remembered. John was preceded in death by both parents; and his siblings. He is survived by his wife, Lillian (Kemp) Speed; three daughters, Linda Speed of Euless, Texas; Phyllis Speed of Houston, Texas; Denise Gibson and son-in-law Rick Gibson of Farmington; one son, John William Speed Jr. and daughter-in-law Susan Speed of Albuquerque; and two grandchildren, Jackson Speed and Amelia Speed. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Grace Baptist Church, 2200 Sullivan Ave. in Farmington. John will be buried at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St. John's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.