James Donald Speakman, Sr., formerly of Fort Wayne, died on August 23, 2023, at Orchid Cove rehabilitation center, in Lake Placid, Florida, from cardiac arrest after a recent accidental fall. He was born April 21, 1937, in Hoagland, Indiana, to Rolla E. and Mary J. Speakman, and graduated from Huntertown High School. After many years of service, he retired from the Fort Wayne Fire Department before eventually retiring to Lake Placid, Florida, where he enjoyed fishing. He was especially fond of his son-in-law, Tony Reinhart, of Loudon,  Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, Cecelia A Speakman of Lake Placid, Florida; brother Dwight "Bud" (Corkie) Speakman, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; stepdaughter, Deb (Tony) Reinhart of Loudon, Tennessee; six children from his first marriage: James Speakman of Churubusco, Indiana, Cindi Speakman of Harlan, Indiana, Patti Shain of Harlan, Indiana. Kenneth (Wendy) Speakman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, David (Richard) Speakman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Pam (John) Parks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents; six sisters Mabel Sunderland, Della Hitchcock, Goldie Reynolds, Adeline "Tillie" Busche, Mary "Pat" Nine, and Edna "Jean" Goldner; a brother, William A. Speakman; and his first wife and mother of his children, Sandy (Herron) Speakman.

No public services are planned.