James "Jim" H. Speer, Jr.

     James H. Speer, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, entered eternal glory with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at his East Waterford home.

     The son of the late James H. Speer, Sr. and the late Lenore Long Speer, Jim was a lifelong dairy farmer who began his life’s journey on April 28, 1938.

     Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Henrietta Dunn Speer, and sons, J. Randall and wife Lori, and J. Richard and wife Naomi. Jim had four grandchildren: Grant B., Elliott J., Tyler P., and Katrina A. Also surviving are two nieces and two nephews.

     He was preceded in death by a brother, David. H. Speer.

     Farming to Jim was not a career, but a way of life in which he was entrusted by God to be a good steward of the land. His work ethic was to do whatever needed to be accomplished and to do it right. He was instrumental in the training of not only his sons, but also of several local young men who worked for him on the farm to follow this ethic.

     Jim enjoyed hunting, and was usually successful in bagging a PA whitetail each year. He also claimed black bear trophies in both Maine and Pennsylvania, and in his later years, a 6x7 bull elk in Minnesota.

     Jim graduated from Juniata Joint High School in 1955 where he excelled in academics and the vocational agriculture curriculum, and was a member of the FFA. He played high school baseball and remained a lifelong fan of the game throughout his life. After high school graduation, Jim received the FFA Keystone State Farmer degree and was named FFA Star Farmer of PA. Later, he was elected to the position of PA State FFA president and, in 1958, was named one four FFA National Star Farmers.

     He purchased his first farm at the age of 17, and grew his farm business by adding three additional farms during his lifetime. In addition to farming, Jim also sold seed for T.A. Doebler’s, TA Seeds, and Local Seed companies. He enjoyed maintaining a rapport with his customers, advising them on seed varieties, and was consistently a top zone dealer.

     Jim was a member of the Upper Tuscarora Presbyterian Church, where he served as a trustee and elder. He was a past member of the Blairs Mills Lions Club, serving a term as president. Other organizational memberships include Orrstown Lodge No. 262 F. & A. M., PA Young Farmers, and the FFA Alumni Association.

     He served on the Southern Huntingdon County School Board for ten years, as well as a township supervisor. As a member and director of Tuscarora Valley Heritage Days, Jim enjoyed showing his five red antique tractors and participating in tractor pulls.

     A private service will be held at the convenience of the family with Pastors Charles Hershberger and Darwin Goshorn officiating.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Tuscarora Heritage Days, P.O. Box 5, East Waterford, PA 17021, or to Upper Tuscarora Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box L, Blairs Mills, PA 17257.

     Guss Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown, has care of the arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.gussfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim" H. Speer, Jr., please visit our floral store.