Russell C. Speer

Russell Clifford Speer, of Nampa, died peacefully on November 22, 2018.  Born in Osgood, Iowa, in 1925 to Pearl (Russell) Speer and Clifford Speer, Russell grew up in Seattle after the whole family drove cross-country in their old Model T in 1934.  Russell attended Northwest Nazarene Academy in Nampa and later, Northwest Nazarene College, where he met a cute redhead, Olga Beth “Betty” Anderson, whom he married and shared over 70 years with.  He is survived by his wife, Beth “Nana” Speer; his son, Bob Speer and wife Patricia; his daughter, Tami (Speer) Gates and husband Ernie; his granddaughter, Lindsay (Gates) Vernor and husband Michael; his grandson, Josh Gates and wife Kendall; 3 great-grandkids, Aliyah Vernor, Brooklyn Gates and Asher Vernor; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Russell was our “Bapa,” and we miss him greatly.  His sense of humor will live on in all of us, as will his deep love for the Lord, and his faithfulness to God’s church.  Russell was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl (Russell) Speer; his father, Clifford Speer; his sisters, Lois (Speer) Litsey and Ruth (Speer) Skagerberg.  A memorial service celebrating Russell’s life will be held at 1:30 pm at Nampa College Church of the Nazarene, 504 E. Dewey Ave., on January 19, 2019. Services are under the direction and care of Alsip and Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Avenue South, Nampa, ID 83651.

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