John Foster Speer, 92, of Harrisonburg, passed away on Saturday August 10, 2024 at Sunnyside Healthcare.

Mr. Speer was born on July 2, 1932, in Anderson, South Carolina and was a son of the late George W. and Juliet Emily (Foster) Speer. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, John served for three years in the United States Navy.

On September 3, 1960, John married the former Ann Logan, who survives. The following year, the couple moved to Huntington, WV where John worked for his father-in-law at S.S. Logan Packing Company. In 1975, John became the President of the Huntington AAA, where he finished out his career. In Huntington, John served on numerous boards, including the Foster Foundation and the Huntington Trust and Savings Bank. He served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He loved his family, and enjoyed travel, tennis and golf.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Speer is survived by his children, Ann Speer Mendenhall of Palo Alto, CA, Jenny Speer Burden (Jared) of Harrisonburg, and John Foster “Jay” Speer, Jr. (Donn Smith) of Orlean, VA; grandchildren, Jack Burden, Isabelle Burden, Logan Mendenhall, William Mendenhall, and Kathryn Mendenhall. Also considered as family, the Speer’s foreign exchange student Isabelle Vanderbeck, her husband Michel Wallemacq and two children Victor Wallemacq and Juliet Wallemacq.

A service will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, 4:30 PM, at Sunnyside’s Meredith Chapel, followed by a gathering at the Speer’s Sunnyside residence.

Burial will be held privately and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions may be made to the Arts Council of the Valley or the Huntington Symphony Orchestra.

Condolences may be shared at Kygers.com