Dr. Daniel W. Speake

Dr. Daniel W. Speake of Huntsville AL passed away on May 7, 2019 in Huntsville Alabama.  He was a World War II Navy Veteran and a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn and Latham United Methodist Church in Huntsville.  He received his PhD in Wildlife Science from Auburn University in 1967. Dr. Speake served as assistant Unit Leader for the Alabama Cooperative Research Unit at Auburn University from 1955 through 1995.  His teaching and research duties span 40 year, with major contributions involving research on Bobwhite quail, Eastern wild turkey and Eastern indigo snakes.  He pioneered the use of radio transmitters on wild turkeys and other species which resulted in improved wildlife practices.  He was the recipient of 19 wildlife awards, including the Wildlife Society Special Recognition Service Award presented at the North American Wildlife Conference and the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Award from Auburn University.  He established the first indigo snake captive breeding program for reintroduction studies in the United States.  He is remembered fondly by many students and technicians that he trained for the wildlife profession. He enjoyed a lifelong love of gardening and native plants.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Alma Speake, his brother Neal Speake, Jr. and his first wife Ruth Purdy Speake.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Speake, his sons David Neal Speake (Susan) of Tallahassee, FL and Richard Edward Speake of Auburn.  His stepchildren are Kathleen Myles of Huntsville and Charles Kinzer of Farmville, VA.  His grandchildren are Wade Speake (Kristine), Forrest Speake, Alice Speake Lagrone (Bryon) and great grandson, Vincent Lagone.

A memorial service will be held on May 18, 2019 at 2:00pm, with visitation from 1:00pm until 2:00pm at Grace Methodist Church in Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University, 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building, Auburn AL  36849-5418.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

www.jeffcoattrant.com