It is with great sadness to announce the sudden passing of H.E . Ted Speer.
Ted passed away at the Prince George Regional Hospital Nov.13, 2012 after a short illness and surgery. His loving wife and soul mate was by his side.
Ted was born in Vancouver BC March 4, 1942. He and his brother moved frequently from coast to coast and many places in between with their parents thru childhood as their father was in the RAF. At the age of six Ted was stricken with Polio and spent some time in a wheel-chair. This however did not hold him back but rather assisted him in developing determination to become an achiever in life. While growing up, Ted and his family enjoyed summer visits to grandparents at Sayward BC. That is where Ted learned from his grandfather the skill and love of fishing and boating. Those two enjoyments were what Ted loved to do all his life. In his latter teens Ted joined the military and was a member of The Queen’s Own Rifles. With honourable discharge he left the military about the same time his father was leaving the RAF. In 1960 Ted with a young wife, accompanied the rest of his family to move to Quesnel. The family bought ranch land south of Kersley and formed Green Mountain Ranch venturing into the ranching industry. Starting off with a very small number of cattle, Ted had to find other means of income to support his growing family. He found work at the Kersley Sawmill but with no vehicle he walked many miles in all types of weather to earn very small dollars. It was also at this time, in the late 1960’s, in order to continue helping the ranch and his family he formed the first roping school in Quesnel which has now grown to what it is today. On weekends from the late 1960’s until 2001 with his family, he enjoyed attending and participating in local and surrounding rodeos. He was very successful at winning prizes including cash. Ted moved forward into logging trees off the ranch. Since logging provided better income he concentrated on his logging along with the roping school’s, which helped the ranch to grow. Over the years Green Mountain Ranch became very successful and prominent in the community. In the late 1980’s Green Mountain Ranch was sold and Ted moved onto being a cowboy, a ranch hand and or foreman at well known ranches such as The Stirling and The Gang Ranch. In Ted’s working career he was also a logging truck driver for many years. Ted actively contributed and assisted the late Hon. Alex Fraser (Politician) in a successful political campaign in the late 1960’s. Ted was a member of The Quesnel Cattleman’s Association for many years. He was a past member of the IRA, CPRA and BCRA. He was a member of The Quesnel Rod and Gun Club and The Quesnel Power Squadron. Ted was predeceased by his father Vernon (Vern) Speer, his mother Catherine (Kay) Speer and brother Bob Speer (Valerie).
He is survived by and greatly missed by his wife Isobel (Susie) Speer
Daughters: Lindy Gilson (Mike), Barb Nicholson, Angie Speer
Son: Steve Dubuc Speer (Debbie) Stepson: Jamie Dubuc Speer (Carol) Stepdaughters: Christine Olsen (Jason), Susan Walton (Dennis), Lisa Williams (Byron). Grandsons: Shawn and Tim Gilson, Dustin Nicholson, Cody Ernst, Justin Speer (Jessica), Tyler and Travis Speer. Grand Daughters: Jody Gilson, Melissa Brousseau (Jeremy). Step-Grandsons: Keith Brown (Tatiana), Jason Brown (Pamela), Brandon Baker, Trevor Olsen, Chris Walton, Ryan Williams. Step-Grand Daughters: Crystal Nicholson, Stephanie LaValley (Dusty), Amanda Walton, Marissa Williams. Son-in-law: Gary Nicholson, Aunt: Edith Field (Phil) several Great Grand Children and many Nieces and Nephews.
No Service by Request.