Sonny Speed (Harold Harrington Speed, Jr.), of Christiansburg, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 22, 2022, after a brave fight against cancer. Sonny was born in 1937 in Bluefield, Va., the son of Harold Harrington, Sr., and Virginia Hazel (Gillespie).
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor Sue (Simpkins); his children, Hal (Val) of Austin, Texas, Pam (Brian) of Roanoke, Reine Lea (Michael) of Kensington, Md.; and his grandchildren: Alex, Andrew, and Patrick.
After graduating from Radford High School, Sonny attended VPI (Virginia Tech) as a proud member of the Corps of Cadets and the Highty-Tighties, majoring in mechanical engineering. In 1961, he was drafted into the Army – achieving the rank ofsSpecialist – while serving as an artillery surveyor with 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany.
Subsequently, Sonny entered the Army Reserves, worked at Poly Scientific, and earned an associate degree in drafting and design from New River Community College. He married in 1967, became a father, and began his 31-year career as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Christiansburg.
When Sonny’s children were young, he transformed into their favorite playmate upon returning home from work. As they grew older, he was often observed taking pictures and filming their various extracurricular activities: band and chorus concerts, halftime shows, Boy Scout outings, track meets, gym class and prom. Sonny was a faithful alarm clock for his children, announcing “First call to Growley” on school days and rubbing butter on their noses as an extra-special birthday wake-up.
“Speedbuggy,” as he was familiarly known, enjoyed a variety of interests and hobbies. Acquiring collectibles – especially comic books and vintage toys – was one of Sonny’s primary endeavors. He loved trains, chasing the 611 throughout southwest Virginia and accumulated an extraordinary collection of Lionel trains.
He also dabbled in amateur photography and videography. As a result, he was regarded as a local historian and was frequently consulted to contribute his knowledge and memories of life in the New River Valley. Sonny was a fixture at the annual Virginia Tech homecoming parade, after which he would trek to the Drillfield for the Corps of Cadets’ Pass in Review.
A graveside service was held Saturday, Nov. 26 at Hickman Cemetery in Radford.
The Speed family would like to express the utmost of gratitude to the following: Dr. Heather Brooks and the caring staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Care and Carilion Clinic NRV Hospice for their unwavering compassion during Sonny’s final days.
The Speed family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
