Edwin "Tom" Speaker (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Edwin Thomas “Tom” Speaker was blessed with a long, fulfilling life. A life that provided for him and his family through the Great Depression, a life that enabled him first-hand to see the construction and economic boom that Route 66 gave his family and being witness to and serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He departed this earthly life on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Lebanon, Missouri. At the time of his passing, he was ninety-eight years, six months and twenty-three days of age. He was believed to have been the oldest surviving businessman from Lebanon’s Route 66 era.
Tommy was born October 7, 1925 in Lebanon, Missouri to Thorton Speaker and Eunice Bacon Speaker. He was raised in the Lebanon area and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1945. He was drafted out of high school into the United States Navy where he faithfully served his country for two years.
On March 28, 1970 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Clouse. He and Ann were married for forty-one wonderful years before her passing on October 11, 2011.
In addition to his wife, Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Dale and Ted Speaker; and his sister, Lena England.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Edna Speaker of Lebanon, Missouri; his nieces and nephews, Dana Bishop and her husband Darrel of Eldridge, Missouri, Ginger Esther of Lebanon, Missouri, Todd Speaker of Lebanon, Missouri and Kerry North and her husband Johnny of Eldridge, Missouri; great-nieces and nephews, Cory North, Wesley North, Cody Esther, Hayley Esther Hedgpeth and her husband Bryan, Blake Bishop and his wife Carrie and Brice Bishop; and great-great-nieces and nephews, Braxton North, Kaylyn Bishop, Kasen Bishop, Jasper Bishop, Austin Bishop and Bristol Esther; and many other friends and business acquaintances.
Following his service in the Navy, he returned to Lebanon and joined his father at Home Oil Company, which through the years sold and delivered gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, hydraulic oil and industrial oil by the truckload.
Tommy later founded Speaker Propane Company with his brother, Teddy, and together they operated the business for nearly fifty years. He was highly regarded in the area as a fine Lebanon businessman.
Tommy was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon and was very active in the choir. He participated in the Easter and Christmas pageants at First Baptist for many years. In addition to his involvement in the church, he enjoyed playing the trombone in the Lake Jazz Band.
The family owned and operated Speaker’s Mobil, a gas station in Lebanon, located on Route 66. Tommy was a young boy and was hanging out at the gas station with his grandfather, Tom Bacon, when a big four door car pulled around to the back of the station. Three or four people got out, one being a woman, and had violin cases (thought to contain guns) that the group placed on the picnic table. They proceeded to lie down in the grass to rest and little Tommy was quickly told to go home. It was later learned that Tommy and his grandfather had interacted with the notorious bank robber and his gang, Pretty Boy Floyd. Tommy didn’t remember if they purchased gas or not on their Lebanon stop, but his grandfather did sell them sandwiches.
Tommy was inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame on January 28, 2023. This was a special honor to him as Route 66 had been very important to him and his business.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting and earned his pilot’s license and liked to go flying. He attended the LST 587 Tanker Ship Reunion for several years and was a proud veteran.
There were many, many stories shared throughout the years of experiences the Speaker family encountered by having a business on the Mother Road. Tommy was a great man that exhibited faith in God and a friend to many. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and know his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them.
A memorial to Cope House has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
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