After a brief battle with cancer, David Earl Speyerer died at his home in Vicksburg Monday, July 1. He was 94 years old.

David was born in Vicksburg September 4, 1929, to the late Frederick H. Speyerer and Thelma Hazel Davis Speyerer. He was the sixth of seven children.

David attended the Vicksburg public schools and graduated from Carr Central High School in 1948.

He attended Mississippi State College (later University), where he lettered in track and graduated with a degree in business.

David also obtained his Master of Business Administration from George Washington University in 1966.

Upon graduation from Mississippi State, he entered the United States Air Force. David was an airborne combat navigator in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

After obtaining the rank of Lt. Colonel, David retired from the Air Force in 1974.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, David was employed by Mississippi Power and Light Company (later Entergy Mississippi). He retired from Entergy in 1991.

David was active his entire life. David was an avid runner and walker. He participated in and won many running races in the Vicksburg area even until he was in his early 90s.

David was also an outdoorsman. He loved to fish with his fishing buddies, especially Leon Jacobs. He also enjoyed gardening and working at his farm in Crystal Springs, aptly called Camp David.

David was an avid reader and loved old Western television shows and movies. David also loved his Mississippi State Bulldogs. He was an active communicant of Saint Paul Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Frederick H. Speyerer and Thelma Hazel Davis Speyerer; brothers, George (Jack) Speyerer, Harry C. (Buzz) Speyerer, James M. (Jimmy) Speyerer, Edwin M. (Skippy) Speyerer; sisters, Mona Ruth Joseph and Mary Page Hastings.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Jane Grey Kennerly Speyerer, who is formerly of Swansea, S.C. David is survived by three sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren: Fred (Fritz) Speyerer of Miamisburg, Ohio, Paul and Mimi, Josh and Jackson Speyerer of Madison and Lee and Rachel and Katherine Speyerer of Madison. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and his wife, Ken and Mary Kennerly of Columbia, S.C., along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

David was also blessed with many wonderful friends, many of whom have preceded him in death, along with many who are still living.

David’s family greatly appreciates the care and concern shown by his friends during his illness, especially Billy Boots, Sharon Andrews, Brad Warnock and Jill Jacobs, to name a few.

David also leaves behind his faithful dog, Cleo.

David was a faithful and loving husband, father and friend. His legacy will forever live on through the countless lives he touched and the lessons he taught us all.

Though we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible 94 years he lived.

Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave., is handling the arrangements.

A visitation will be held Friday,  July 5, from 4 until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, July 6, at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg, with Father Rusty Vincent officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to: Vicksburg Catholic Schools, Attn: Development & Alumni Affairs Office, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183. https://www.vicksburgcatholic.org