Arthur Leo Speck, M.D. passed from this life Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
He was born 13 February 1937 in San Angelo, Texas to Arthur Henderson (Pete) and Evelyn Eugenia (Eva Jean) Speck and was a life-long Episcopalian. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches. The funeral will be Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with a reception to follow in the church parish hall. There will be graveside services at Rest Haven Cemetery in Menard Texas on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Arthur Leo was raised on his parents’ ranch in Menard, Texas and attended school in Menard where he played football, acted in the one act play and participated in extemporaneous speech. He was an acolyte in the Calvary Episcopal Church in Menard. Dr.
Speck served on the Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches. Following graduation in 1954, he attended the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Biology, he attended U.T.M.B. in Galveston Texas and graduated with a Medical Degree in 1963. He continued at U.T.M.B. to complete his internship in surgery. He joined the U.S. Navy as a General Medical Officer in 1964 and was stationed in Kenitra, Morrocco at the Naval Training Command until 1967. His next duty was at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a resident in Urology from 1967-1971. Completing this, he was assigned as the senior Urologist at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam, Marianna Islands from 1971-1973 and left the Navy with a rank of Commander.
In July 1973, Arthur Leo established his Urology practice in Nacogdoches, Texas and retired in 2011.
He had an unwavering desire to give back and to support the community in any way possible and did this beautifully. He was instrumental in establishing Medical Center Hospital and served as Chief of Surgery numerous years and Chief of Medical Staff.
He was committed to serving the community and surrounding area and was active in numerous organizations including TMA, Nacogdoches-San Augustine County Medical Society, Heritage Heralds, American Urological Association, AMA, Texas Urological Society, Nacogdoches Booster Club, and Nacogdoches Rotary Club International. Arthur Leo established the first Safari Club in Nacogdoches. Skeet shooting was one of his hobbies, and he was honored to have the annual Rotary Club Skeet Shoot named after him. He served as the Nacogdoches County Republican Chairman and City Health Officer in years past.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna, his son Arthur Leo Speck, Jr. (wife Elizabeth), his daughter Virginia Lee Amason (husband Bert). His grandchildren Arthur Leo Speck, III, Cathryn Carter Thole (husband Jake), Edith King Amason, LTJG Thomas Gilbert Amason, IV, and Emily Browning Amason, and great granddaughter Charlotte Lou Thole; Brother James Henderson Speck (wife Nan), His motherin- law and father-in-law Doris and Don Bailey, brother-in-law David Bailey (wife Shannon), sister-in-law Janice Speck and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Nicholas; parents Eva Jean and Pete Speck; grandparents Lena and Fred Speck and Laura and Robert Kidd, brother Dr. George William (Chuck) Speck and sister-in-law Iris Speck.
Pallbearers will be Arthur Leo Speck, III, LTJG Thomas Gilbert Amason IV, Reece Bailey, Captain Carl Failing, Robert Failing, Nelson Klein, Travis Allday, and Cooper Voigtel. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Pierson and Austin Allday.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider donations in Dr. Speck’s memory to Christ Episcopal Church (1430 N. Mound St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961).