Thomas Samuel "Sammy" Speaks, 89, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, May 29, 2022, following a difficult battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born in Waverly, Kentucky, on October 26, 1932, to Edward Thomas and Mary Christine Speaks, Sammy was one of six children raised on the family farm.  After graduating from Holy Name High School, he joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Robert H. McCard.

In May of 1954, Sammy met Julia Head.  They married and had six children: Pamela Ann, Samuel Joseph, Mary Beth, Theresa Lea, James Michael, and Julia Annette.  Sammy owned and operated a Standard Oil station for 2 years in Henderson, Kentucky.

In 1961, Sammy was hired by Chevron to become a salesman in Paintsville, Kentucky, and not long after was transferred to Paducah, Kentucky.  A decade later he was moved to Lexington, Kentucky, and after 14 years working with Standard Oil/Chevron, he retired from them and took another service station, Speaks Marathon in Lexington, which is currently being operated by his two sons and two grandchildren.

In 1980, Sammy decided to go back to his roots.  For 20 years until he retired, he worked the farm previously owned by his parents, Edward and Mary, in Corydon, Kentucky.  Farming was what he was born to do, and he was never happier.

Throughout his life, he was a man of great faith.

Sammy was preceded in death by his father, Edward; his sister, Francis Isabelle; his mother, Mary; his brother, James Felix; and his sister, Mariam Louise.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Julia; his six children, Pam (Steve Hogge), Sammy (Lee Ann), Mary Beth Dunn, Theresa (Stefan Robbins), Michael (Kathy), and Annette (Bruce Bramlett); one sister, Martha Jean Gastenveld of Henderson, Kentucky; one brother, Robert Edward Speaks of Walton, Kentucky; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

May those of us mourning take comfort in knowing that Sammy spent his entire life, from birth to passing, in the arms of a large, loving family.  He will be dearly missed.

A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 511 Second Street, Henderson, Kentucky.  Father Larry McBride will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Louis Cemetery in Henderson, Kentucky.

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until funeral time Saturday at the church.  All are welcome to attend.

In memory of Sammy, we ask that donations be made to either St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Lexington, Kentucky, or the Alzheimer's Association ( www.alz.org ).

Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home in Henderson, Kentucky, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com .