Colonel James “Spike” Speicher, of Apollo Beach, Fla., born Detroit, Michigan, was the youngest of 3 children born to Harold Speicher and Jean Speicher. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Katherine Adams Speicher; two sons, David & Gregory; two daughters, Katherine & Katelyn; four grandchildren; his brother John and sister Anne. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Julie.
Spike was well-loved, a great story teller, a prankster and always quick with a joke. He was a proud & supportive father, always leading by example. He served his country as a great patriot, sharing his morals & values to help guide younger generation soldiers.
Spike received his B.A. from The Citadel. Col. Speicher was a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, Police Officer at Bloomfield Township PD and Deputy Sheriff at Oakland County Sheriff Dept. One of Spike’s most enjoyable tours was as Deputy Professor of Military Science at The Citadel (1989-1993).
Spike was an avid historian of the Civil War & passionate advocate for the USS Hunley. He held multiple office positions in several historical organizations. In 2009, he published “The Sumter Flying Artillery: A Civil War History of the 11th Battalion Georgia Light Artillery.”
In 2017, Spike and his wife relocated to Apollo Beach, FL, where he remained in many of the Florida chapters of the historical associations.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (5325 Nieman Rd, Shawnee, KS 66203) with reception to follow at 3:30 pm at Shawnee Civic Centre (13817 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS 66216). An additional memorial service, TBD, will be held in Tampa, FL and Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Col. James “Spike” Speicher can be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org) or Friends of the Hunley (www.hunley.org)
A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 23, 2022, at 11:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church (701 Valley Forge Blvd, Sun City Center FL 33573) with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Col. James “Spike” Speicher can be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org) or Friends of the Hunley (www.hunley.org).
Posted in: Kansas City Star
Posted on: 2021-11-30
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/james-speicher-obituary?id=31687950