Trevecca Nazarene University alumnus and southern gospel music great Ben Speer passed away on Friday, April 7. He was 86 years old.
Born in Double Springs, Ala., in 1930, Speer was the youngest child of George Thomas and Lena Speer, the patriarchs of the legendary southern gospel group, the Speer Family. Speer sang and played piano with the group throughout his career, recording more than 75 albums during his tenure. He retired from the group in 1992.
A 1954 graduate of Trevecca, Speer’s career spanned many aspects of the music industry. He founded the Ben Speer Music Company in 1950, publishing songs such as “What a Day That Will Be” and “Touring That City.” Speer also worked as a music producer and served as the music director of the Gaither Homecoming video series.
In 1988, he revived the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, a legendary institution designed to teach key elements of southern gospel music, including theory, harmony, sight reading, songwriting, conducting and more—all designed to keep gospel music alive.
Trevecca honored Speer with an honorary Doctor of Letters in 2015. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1995, the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Southern Gospel Piano Roll of Honor in 2002.
“Trevecca and southern gospel have lost a great friend in Ben,” said Dr. Dan L. Boone, president of Trevecca. “I often say our students are Trevecca’s gift to the world, and Ben exemplified that by using his gifts and talents to make such an impact on gospel music and the church.”
Speer was preceded in death by his parents, as well as siblings Brock and Mary Tom Speer. He is survived by his wife, Rebekah Long Speer, children Stephen (Prilla) Speer, Darin (Alane) Speer; sister, Rosa Nell Speer Powell and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. today at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane. Visitation is also planned from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodlawn Street.
A celebration of life service will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
Media contact: Mandy Crow, mmcrow@trevecca.edu, 615-248-1695