Final Salute

Howard Thomas Speed

On June 22, 2020 we said goodbye to a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to many, Howard Thomas Speed. Howard was diagnosed with cancer early January and was battling this disease head on and with determination to beat it. Unfortunately his heart and God’s plan were not on the same page with Howard’s plan.

Howard Thomas Speed was born July 6, 1941 in McDowell Alabama to Franklin Speed and Susie Faquay Speed. Howard was the youngest of 8.

Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Howard know first hand the impact of his personality. From early on his strength and determination was evident when he tried and was successful (only by switching his birth certificate to reflect a birth year of 1939) in joining the military at the age of 16. He completed 3 tours of duty during his 20 years in the United States Navy. His stations included Jacksonville, FL for basic training with a stay in Adak Alaska, Coronado CA, Alameda CA, Hue Phu Bai Vietnam, Subic Bay Philippines and a final stop in Port Hueneme when he retired in 1977. He was a crane operator engineer with the Seabees branch whose motto is “With compassion for others, we build – we fight for peace with freedom”. With that ‘can do’ attitude was how Howard lived his life.
He was a builder and user of his hands to make something from nothing for family and friends. When he was building furniture, car engines, room additions, rehabbing houses his children purchased, decks, dog houses, storage sheds or wooden toy truck piggy banks he did so with passion. This was his love and his way to show his love to all that was a part of his life.
All that he built will stand the test of time and continue to be a reminder to us of Howard’s unselfish dedication to always help family and friends whenever called upon to do so.

Howards other passion was with the sea. He was a lover of the art of fishing. He was one with his boat, his fishing poles and the fish in the sea! I remember hearing stories of Howard skipping school at an early age (4th grade to be exact) only to be found by the shoreline fishing. He was a modern day Tom Sawyer growing up and was that same boy as an adult when he was out on the sea fishing! He lived that life from the moment he discovered this love and peacefulness with being one with the ocean. This love transposed to his children and grandchildren. He was never alone when he went on those fishing trips. His children loved being out with him learning his self taught skills and when fishing wasn’t ‘cool’ at the time his kids were teenagers he figured out a way to still be on the water by teaching them to water ski! When his children grew up and had kids of their own each and everyone of his grandchildren loved the art of fishing with Grandpa just like their parents did before them. Howard was always there to share his skills, fish til the end of the day even when those days ended up without a fish in hand. These are memories that he gave to cherish and hold in our hearts forever.

Howard was a man of few words but when he did speak his words permeated to all those that heard him. They were usually one liners, witty sayings with his deep southern accent that he never lost. We all enjoyed his “Howardisms” and there was never a shortness of laughs when he had something he needed to say. For some of us we are still trying to figure out what it means to ‘don’t take any wooden nickels’!

Howard leaves behind his wife Kiyoko Speed. They were to have been married for 58 years come this August 1st. He is also survived by his son Johnny Speed of Oxnard and his wife Suzanne Speed. Daughter Linda Seale of San Diego and her husband Greg Seale. Additional survivors include his 6 grandchildren Kiersten Dolby, Austin Betz, Noah Betz, Taylor Speed, Addison Seale, Parker Seale and 2 great grandchildren. Howard was also grandfather to his extended family Jacqueline Heck and David Heck.
He is survived by his sisters Louise Speed Achord of Montgomery Alabama, Edna Loucile Nummy of Prattville AL, and Lillian Francis Killingsworth of Panama City Florida.

He is reunited with his siblings J.T. Speed, Billie Jean Anderson, Frank Speed Jr. and William Leonard Speed.

He will forever be in our hearts. Dilly Dilly

Graveside service with military honors will be held July 10th at 1pm at Ivy Lawn Memorial in Ventura.

Memorial reception to follow at private residence. Friends and Family are welcomed to join.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Howard’s honor directly to the VA of West Los Angeles. Checks to be made payable to VA of West Los Angeles. Mail directly to Voluntary Services Bldg 258 Rm 124 11301 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90073. This was a home away from home for Howard while he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments.