Jacque Garrison Speck was born in Harlingen, Texas on December 28, 1936 to Roberta Johnson Garrison and Eugene Pete Garrison. She attended grade school in Harlingen and then the family moved to Uvalde, Texas where she attended Uvalde High School and was a member of the cheer squad. The family then moved to Austin where Jacque graduated from McCallum High School. After graduation, Jacque moved to Houston and attended the University of Houston where she studied Criminal Justice.
Jacque then joined her older sister Jean on the West Coast in San José, California and worked with the San José Police Department. While she enjoyed her time in California, Texas was calling her home so she moved back to the Lone Star State, working for police departments in Houston and Austin. While Jacque was in California, her parents purchased the Motel 83 in Menard, Texas and on a visit to Menard, she met Frank Edward Speck, and they began to date. Jacque and Frank were married in the First Baptist Church of Menard in October of 1963, and in March of 1965, they welcomed their first son, Quint Edward Speck. In March of 1967, son Cody Garrison Speck was born.
Motherhood was Jacque’s greatest joy. She poured her heart into raising her boys, never missing a Menard Yellowjacket football game, basketball or golf tournament, track meet, or Little League baseball game, often traveling hours and miles across West Texas to support Menard teams at away games. Her car was always packed with fellow fans, full coolers, blankets, and plenty of snacks! You always knew if Jacque was at one of her boys’ sporting events as she was the most enthusiastic cheerleader in the crowd. “RUN SON RUN” and “SIC ‘EM ‘JACKETS” were among her signature cheers.
Later in life, Jacque enjoyed working as Director at the Menard Community Center where she served until her retirement.
Jacque was a gracious hostess, and her home was constantly full of friends and food. Her door was open 24/7 to all, and no one left hungry. She threw epic Super Bowl and Holiday parties, could make a mean chicken spaghetti, and always had ample queso in the crock pot a pot of pinto beans on the stove. A timeless beauty, Jacque was always impeccably dressed and had the most piercing blue eyes. She was full of life, loved to travel, play card games, was an accomplished Bridge player, a talented dancer, and was a lover of all her pets throughout her life including her beloved dogs, a fawn, a pet coon, and the hilarious Pepe the Parrot who she taught to greet visitors with, “Come on in!”
Jacque is survived by her sons Quint Edward Speck, Cody Garrison Speck, her sister Jean Garrison Allgood, her brother Buddy Garrison (Doris), four nieces and a nephew. She also leaves behind her beloved Chihuahua Haichi. She was predeceased by her parents Roberta and Eugene Garrison, Her sister Joy Garrison Cocke, brother- in-law Jim Cocke, her nephew Guy Staton “State” Cocke, and her niece Rory Allgood Thomas.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony was held on Saturday, June 14.