Ronald Van Speed, Sr. was born on September 5th, 1939, in Corsicana, TX, to Van and Wanza Speed of Kerens, TX. Ron grew up in Kerens, fishing, hunting, and having adventures with his cousins and many friends. He attended Kerens’ schools, where he developed a love of sports and played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track, earning many awards and achievements. He worked his way through Navarro College and, eventually, Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a minor in Biology. He was one thesis short from graduating with a Master’s but didn’t because he was too eager to begin a coaching career.
He went on to be the head coach and athletic director at five schools (always in towns close to a great bass lake where he could fish) and coached many teams, teaching and inspiring players and students to love sports but also to become the best versions of themselves. He held a special place in his heart for the boys on his 1968 Malakoff High School football team – that loss still stung years later.
After coaching for over a decade, he embarked on his greatest adventure yet – S & W Fishing, Inc., which later became Ron Speed’s Adventures. He became a pioneer in the international fishing world, doing things no American fisherman had ever done and solidifying his place as a forefather in the South American fishing business as we know it today. He has been featured in many television shows, magazines, and newspapers across the country. He was also known in the professional team fishing circuit, winning the coveted McDonald’s Tournament. In addition to fishing, he enjoyed hunting. He bred, raised, trained, and participated in field trials with his beloved Elhew Pointers, with which he won two state championships.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jere Wayne Speed. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Virginia Whitaker Speed of Malakoff, TX, and their three children: John Speed and his wife, Sheri of Keller, TX; Ron Speed, Jr. and his wife, Cassie of Corsicana, TX; and daughter, Mary Kent, and her husband, Andy of Mildred, TX. He was the proud granddaddy of eight grandchildren: Matthew, Van, Marc, Jaxson, Kinsley, McCoy, Taytum, and Hayden; and great-grandchildren: Atticus and Gypzen; and his sister, Jean Speed Callaway, and her husband, Mike of Hondo, TX; and many nieces and nephews with a special thank you to his niece, Linda Rodgers, who made his final years a little easier.
There will never be another Ron Speed. He blazed a trail so bright, influencing the hearts and minds of many and affecting generations to come.
Visitation will be 6 pm to 8 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022 at Paschal Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Paschal Funeral Home with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating. Burial will follow in Kerens Cemetery.
Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home 903-396-2371.
He went on to be the head coach and athletic director at five schools (always in towns close to a great bass lake where he could fish) and coached many teams, teaching and inspiring players and students to love sports but also to become the best versions of themselves. He held a special place in his heart for the boys on his 1968 Malakoff High School football team – that loss still stung years later.
After coaching for over a decade, he embarked on his greatest adventure yet – S & W Fishing, Inc., which later became Ron Speed’s Adventures. He became a pioneer in the international fishing world, doing things no American fisherman had ever done and solidifying his place as a forefather in the South American fishing business as we know it today. He has been featured in many television shows, magazines, and newspapers across the country. He was also known in the professional team fishing circuit, winning the coveted McDonald’s Tournament. In addition to fishing, he enjoyed hunting. He bred, raised, trained, and participated in field trials with his beloved Elhew Pointers, with which he won two state championships.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jere Wayne Speed. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Virginia Whitaker Speed of Malakoff, TX, and their three children: John Speed and his wife, Sheri of Keller, TX; Ron Speed, Jr. and his wife, Cassie of Corsicana, TX; and daughter, Mary Kent, and her husband, Andy of Mildred, TX. He was the proud granddaddy of eight grandchildren: Matthew, Van, Marc, Jaxson, Kinsley, McCoy, Taytum, and Hayden; and great-grandchildren: Atticus and Gypzen; and his sister, Jean Speed Callaway, and her husband, Mike of Hondo, TX; and many nieces and nephews with a special thank you to his niece, Linda Rodgers, who made his final years a little easier.
There will never be another Ron Speed. He blazed a trail so bright, influencing the hearts and minds of many and affecting generations to come.
Visitation will be 6 pm to 8 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022 at Paschal Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Paschal Funeral Home with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating. Burial will follow in Kerens Cemetery.
Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home 903-396-2371.