James Speaks

A retired supervisor with Agrico Chemical in Donaldsonville, he was a native of Henderson, Ky., and a resident of Baton Rouge. He died of heart disease at 12:25 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 81 and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Visiting at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Tuesday, July 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Tom Duhe. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Survived by his wife, of 63 years, Martha Chandler Speaks; three daughters, Linda Black and husband Jerrold A. Black, CPA, Margaret Patt and husband Robert, and Carol Bruno; a son, Wayne Speaks and wife Jo Ann; two sisters, Jean Gastenveld and Mariam Smith; two brothers, Sammy Speaks and wife Julia, and Bobby Speaks and wife Judy; 11 grandchildren, Todd Black, Scott Black, Allison Speaks, Rachel Speaks, Suzanne Speaks, Private 1st Class Robert Patt Jr., Sherry Bonfanti, Christy Laiche, Christopher Speaks, Casie Speaks and Kara Jo Bruno; and five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Christine Speaks; son, Mel Speaks; son-in-law, Paul Bruno; and sister, Isabelle Johnston. Pallbearers will be Todd Black, Robert Patt, Christopher Speaks, Dana Ventura, John Kersey, Ben Huffman, Eric Speaks and Richard Empson. Memorial donations can be made in the form of Masses to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815-6299.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
58pm 070809 10am

Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
11am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Memorial Contributions

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Memorial donations can be made in the form of Masses
Baton Rouge, LA  70815