Frank Speed, Jr.

Frank Hobson Speed, Jr.

Frank Hobson Speed, Jr., 90, of Independence, MO passed away on Monday December 4, 2023. A memorial visitation will be held from 1-3pm, Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64055.

Frank was born on June 10, 1933, in Kansas City, MO. His parents were Frank Speed, Sr. and Marie (Gillis) Speed. His sister was born five years later. Because it was the middle of the Depression, the family moved to Houston, TX, in the mid ‘30’s to find work, but none was available so they returned in the late ‘30’s.

Frank attended Kansas City’s Woodland Elementary School, his high school years were spent in Manual High Vocational and Technical School from which he graduated in 1951. He majored in vocational electricity as it was a fascination for him. His education was rigorous, including all academic requirements for graduation with the added benefit of learning about one’s professional interest. Students in that program were sought after for jobs after graduation and he worked for about six years for several companies before being hired by Boese-Hilburn Electric Company. He rose through the ranks there until he became its Vice-President in 1973. He retired from the company in 1997. Frank was a 65 Year member of The International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Local #124 KC, MO.

While in high school, Frank met Maudie Juanita Spoor at the El Torreon Roller Rink. Frank was an accomplished skater, but Maudie was just learning, so he took the opportunity to show her how to skate better. Those sessions led to love, and they dated and corresponded during the Korean War and were married as soon as he returned in 1955. Maudie wrote to Frank every day! He was in the Field Artillery Branch of the Army in Korea for 16 months and then in Japan.

Frank and Maudie had two children: a daughter who passed in her 50’s and a son. They have two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The family spend a lot of time in their cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks, in their boat and fishing. They also enjoyed traveling in their RV throughout 22 different states, of which the favorite area was in the pacific northwest.

He was active on the Board of Trustees of North Springs United Methodist Church, which in 2010 became the Leawood congregation of the five congregation highly effective Church of the Resurrection. Frank and Maudie read together and visited the library regularly, often reading a book a week. Frank was such an intelligent, kind man and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his son Gerald Speed and his wife Linda of Livingston, TX; granddaughters, Michelle Speed of Maryville, MO and Kathleen Willoughby and her husband, Joshua of Gladstone, MO; 4 great-grandchildren, Caleb Napier, Caden Napier, Cassandra Napier, and Corbin Myers. he is preceded in death by his wife Maudie; his daughter Marie Harden, his parents Frank and Marie Speed; and his sister, Carleen Hollinger.