Carroll “Gene” Eugene Speaker

October 6, 1943 - February 2, 2016

Carroll Eugene “Gene” Speaker, 72, of Seymour, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus.

Gene was born on October 6, 1943, in Seymour, to the late Frances and Edith Speaker.

He was a graduate of Columbus High School and Purdue University. On June 4, 1966, he married Roberta “Bobbi” Redmon in Columbus. Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been this June 2016.

While at Purdue, Gene majored in Agriculture Economics and received his B.S. Degree in 1965. Gene was involved in many campus activities during his years at Purdue. He was president of his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, and was also selected to be a member of the Iron Key. Iron Keys are bestowed upon a select group of undergraduate men as a symbol of the highest achievement attainable by campus leaders. Gene was a strong, proud Boilermaker his entire life and loved Boilermakers’ Basketball and Football.

At Purdue, Gene was in the Army ROTC and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He went on active duty in June of 1966 and served in Vietnam for one year. His leadership continued in the military with the Bronze Star being his highest award. Gene’s team saved a village by controlling a fire. After his return home from Vietnam, Gene and Bobbi finished his time of service in Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Gene worked for Ralston Purina in Ohio and Iowa before returning home to farm with his father and brother, Ron. Speaker’s Pork Lane Farms enjoyed many successful years raising hogs and crop farming. Gene was proud of his daughter’s years showing hogs at the Jackson County Fair and Indiana State Fair. Gene was a member of the Jackson County Pork Producers and was instrumental in the start-up of the “Pork Tent” at the Jackson County Fair.

Gene was a member of the Jackson County Zoning Board for 20 years. He fought for farmers’ rights and the protection of farm land. He was active in the Purdue Club of Jackson County and a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Gene is survived by his wife, Bobbi, daughters, Amy (Tom) Dowd and Erin (Tony) Miller; six grandchildren: Bailey Dowd, Karlee Dowd, Abby Miller, Chloe Miller, Brody Miller, and Jude Miller; a sister, Linda (Alan) Johnson; two brothers, Larry (Jackie) Speaker and Ronald “Ronnie” (Jackie) Speaker; mother-in-law, Helen Redmon, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Barbara Speaker.

Friends may call at Voss Chapel from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016, and Saturday at First Presbyterian Church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

The Celebration of Life Service will be at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. with a military service conducted by VFW Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean and Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour.

The family asks that memorials be designated to the Alpha Gamma Rho Foundation – Ron Hurt Memorial or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Carroll Eugene “Gene” Speaker, 72, of Seymour, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. Gene was born on October 6, 1943, in Seymour, to the late Frances and Edith Speaker. He was a graduate of Columbus High School and Purdue University. On June 4, 1966, heContinue Reading

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We were extremely blessed to call Gene our neighbor for a whole decade. Rest in peace.

Gene was my Lieutenant in Vietnam; I was his Jeep driver. Together we were a great team. Gene was the kind of man who did not give orders; rather he pitched right in and helped his men and worked right alongside of them. All the men in our unit respected him and liked him. After I got home from Vietnam, I thought of Gene often. When I finally decided to try and find him, I was unsuccessful. I had forgotten his "real" first name was Carroll, not Eugene, and even with the advent of the internet, was not able to locate him. Years went by, and I had a sudden memory of Gene's first name and found his information. I called him last year and we spent several hours on the phone a few times. Gene told me he had been trying to find me also and never did. He was so happy we finally got in touch. He told me he had restored an army jeep and named it after me. My biggest regret is that we never got together again, as Gene was too sick by the time we found each other. He was one of the best men I've know in my life, and I loved him like a brother. Bill Humphrey New Jersey

So sorry for your loss. If you need anything we are just down the road.

Although Gene's death did not come as a surprise, it still was with deep sadness that I learned of his passing. However it is a great joy that Gene had a bit in my life. At Alpha Gamma Rho, I was Gene's "big brother". It was a great honor to have Gene as my "little" brother. Thank you Gene for being a part of us. Dale Pflum

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.