Charles Arthur Speed's Obituary
Charles Arthur Speed, of Germantown, TN, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026. He was 86 years old.
He was born on January 27, 1940, in Memphis, TN, to Sam E. Speed, Sr. and Mary Beth Chambers Speed Pate.
Charles was honored to serve in the United States Marine Corp Reserves for 4 years and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for several years. Charles followed in his father’s footsteps, starting a construction legacy that spanned 43 years; he was a proud business owner of Germantown Lumber Company for over 30 years and Germantown resident until his death.
He loved golf, serving as a volunteer for the FedEx St. Jude Golf Tournament for over 60 years; had a passion for genealogy with the TGEN society, and also the community with the Germantown Chamber of Commerce.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brother (Sam E. Speed, Jr.), sister (Rosalind Speed Totah), and his wife of 33 years (Shirley Timmons Speed).
He is survived by his son, Charles Jason Speed (Valerie); daughters, Kelli Michelle Speed (Anthony) and Shannon Beth Speed; 4 grandchildren (Wyatt, Cody, Abigail, and Marshall Speed); and his wife of 23 years, Jane Pugh Speed; all of Germantown, TN.
Visitation for Mr. Speed will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Riverside chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will have a private graveside committal following.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Speed's honor can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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