James "Jim" Darwin Speck

James “Jim” Darwin Speck, age 81, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on March 26, 2025, in Des Moines, IA. Jim was born on July 22, 1943, to Claude Speck and Ethel Mae Speck. A service will be planned at a later date.

At age nine, he moved to West Des Moines, and met the love of his life, Georgia. When Georgia moved to Arizona, they each started their own families. Jim had a beautiful daughter, Laurie, and Georgia had her boy, Michael. In a true love story of the ages, they reunited in Arizona in 1967 whereupon they married. Following marriage, they brought Corki into the world. Jim and Georgia enjoyed a happy marriage for 58 years. Jim spent much of his free time training horses and raising golden retrievers. Upon retirement from his work in the printing business as a lithographer and stripper, he spent summer months in South Dakota with his wife Georgia, working as volunteers in Custer State Park.

Jim lived a good life as a great man. His love for his wife Georgia and all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was unmatched. He lived a life of service to others, always shoveling walks and mowing lawns, and was the favorite person of countless people and dogs. He had a cookie ready any time for dogs known and unknown alike. A creative man, Jim made furniture, walking sticks, drawings, and carvings. He was a welcoming presence and easy to talk to, not one to rant, but a man intentional with his words, and he made sure the people in his life knew they were loved.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Georgia Rae Speck; daughter, Corki Stokka and stepson, Michael (Lisa) Shimels; grandchildren, Elliot Damm, John C Stokka, Brittany Donis, Jamie Stokka, Ryan Shimels, and Connor Emery; and great grandchildren, Kateri Shimels, Emma Stokka, Lily David, John J Stokka, Xander David, Sarah Stokka, Levi Shimels, Emilia Donis, and Matthew Stokka.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Claude Speck and Ethel McGrew, and stepfather John T McGrew; daughter Laurie Emery; sisters Barbara (Don) Goode, Mary (Gene) Capps, and Shirley (Robert) Hodges; and his many prized dogs including Jenny, Muffet, Leia, and Leia and others.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to any organization that helps children.