Richard Arthur Speed Jr., age 74, of Clayton, Ga., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton.
He was born on March 5, 1948, in Rabun County to the late Richard Arthur Speed Sr. and Dorothy Seay Speed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years Jewell Wilbanks Speed. In addition to his wife Jewell, he is survived by four children, Christy Speed, Tammy Kilby, Janie Armour (Tim), and Sonya Neilson (Russell); six grandchildren, Stella Rickman (Andrew Matis), Nevel Kilby, Ben Neilson, Kristi Goodwin (Matthew), Trent Kilby (Heath), and Tucker Kilby; two great- grandchildren, Avarie Goodwin and Beau Goodwin; two sisters Pat Gravley (Bill) and Joyce Chastain (Ernest); a dear friend and his hunting buddy Ken Ramey (Ellen) and several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers Raymond Speed, Carroll Speed, and David Speed; one sister Barbara Clark; and one son-in-law Tim Kilby.
Arthur served in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. He also served in the Army National Guard during Desert Storm in the Military Police unit. Arthur was a founding member of the Warwoman Fire Department where he served as their first chief and as a volunteer for many years. He was a member of Rabun Gap Masonic Lodge #265. He was a Past Master and served as the Worshipful Master in 1985. Arthur illustrated the Rabun County seal. He was a member of Battle Branch Baptist Church. He was an avid antique car enthusiast and restorer. He loved to hunt and fish but his favorite hobby in life was woodworking. He was a talented master craftsman and enjoyed making custom furniture and wood art. In the final decades of his life Arthur was able to turn his passion for woodworking into a successful career by establishing his own business, Precision Wood. Despite his long list of accomplishments, Arthur will be remembered by his family as the most loving father and devoted friend.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. at Battle Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Madison McCrackin and Rev. Bill Gravley officiating. The family received friends from noon-1 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Battle Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hunter Funeral Home is honored to serve the Speed family.
The Clayton Tribune
December 1, 2022