February 3, 1931 – November 15, 2024
Ray “Skippy” Speaker was born in Washington, D.C. He passed away at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marge Speaker; his sons, Ron (Lisa) and Larry (Cari); his sister, Kay; and two grandchildren, Tag and Tris.
Ray attended McKinley Tech High School and was selected for the 1949 All High Selections all-star team. His talent led him to the Brooklyn Dodgers’ minor league affiliate, where he trained at “Dodgertown” in Vero Beach, Florida, under Branch Rickey. During the Korean Conflict, Ray served in the U.S. Coast Guard, playing for the Cape May Coast Guard Bears baseball team. After his honorable discharge, he attended Salem College on the GI Bill, achieving an impressive .588 batting average during his sophomore year. Later, Ray joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a scout.
Ray’s work took him in many directions. Alongside baseball, he became a skilled carpenter and later pursued a successful sales career with Georgia Pacific Plywood, where he earned National Salesman of the Year honors. He eventually held management roles in the manufactured housing industry and later worked in commercial real estate.
A committed Freemason, Ray was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Orient of Colorado Scottish Rite. He was raised in Solomon’s Lodge No. 1 in Savannah, Georgia, Free and Accepted Masons. Ray and Marge were also lifelong members of the United Methodist Church, faithfully serving in every community they lived in.
Known for his belief in hard work and honesty, Ray had a warm, outgoing personality and loved sharing stories from his life. In retirement, he moved to Carbondale, where he mentored young college athletes in baseball, passing on his love for the game and dedication to integrity.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at a future date. The family extends their gratitude to HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley for their exceptional compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley (hchotv.org), a nonprofit where 100% of donations go directly toward patient care and family support.