Remembering Rufus Speaks

by James S. Proud

Rufus Colbert “Joe” Speaks, Jr., 79, currently of Chattanooga but formerly of Knoxville and Jellico, TN, died at his home on Sunday, January 18, 2004. He suffered the past several years in poor health and blindness, but was always keen witted and quick with a joke up to the end.

Shortly after marrying Rufus’ daughter Carol, I was introduced to the hobby, or as some would say, the passion of rock hunting. The year was 1969 and I wanted to make a good impression on my new father-in-law, so I showed a serious interest in his hobby. It was not long; however, that I began to realize that I really enjoyed getting out into the field and spending hours without end searching for the perfect specimen of quartz or calcite or whatever was the goal for the day.  I was with Rufus when he organized that first meeting at the old Hamilton National Bank building on Fifth Avenue. The new group named itself the Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society and I was asked to design its logo that is still used today on the current club’s literature. During the 70’s, the club’s membership continued to grow under the leadership of Mr. Speaks, as I always called him. He personally led many of the club’s field trips including trips to Cave-in Rock, IL and Hot Springs, AR. He wanted a club that was active and open to all ages and encouraged the involvement of the entire family. At meetings, he fostered the concept of everyone learning something new in a fun-filled and friendly environment.  Everyone was welcome, no matter his or her particular station in life. Members included students, children, men, women, retired citizens, laborers, doctors, carpenters, university professors, professionals and amateurs alike. To promote the club and its benefits to its members, Mr. Speaks encouraged and supported the club in its affiliation with the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies. He served the EFMS in many capacities including a term as president. Mr. Speaks has made many donations of specimens to area schools, UT, and nationally known museums such as the Smithsonian Institute. One of the finest and largest Wavellite specimens on record was collected by Mr. Speaks in Arkansas and is now part of the University of Chicago Natural Museum collection. Mr. Speaks stayed active in KGMS
for over twenty years until failing health forced him to limit his activities. He loved the club, but most of all he loved the many new friends he had made in the club. He was always interested in their well-being and inquired often of them even into his last days of life.

Perhaps Mr. Speaks’ interest in rocks was nourished in the stark and difficult life of the coal mines of Tennessee and Kentucky. His father, Rufus Colbert Speaks, Sr. was a superintendent of mines for the Pruden, TN Coal Company
where Mr. Speaks was born on July 7, 1924. Eventually, the family moved to Jellico, TN where Rufus, Jr. began public school. According to his school records, he was a serious student and made excellent grades, especially in math. At the age of 16, Mr. Speaks decided to falsify his age to enter the army. He was a dedicated soldier and quickly attained the rank of Tech Sergeant and led a bomb disposal squad onto Omaha beach during the D-Day invasion in WWII. He returned home at the end of the war and in a different act of bravery at the age of 21, re-entered Jellico High School to
complete his high school education. He then entered the University of Tennessee and earned a degree in accounting He began his master’s degree program and at UT Martin served as assistant professor. During most of his working life, he was a Certified Public Accountant; however, he also served stints as a coal mine operator, women’s garment manufacturer, and from 1967 until his retirement in 1979 due to failing eyesight, an Internal Revenue Service agent.

Mr. Speaks married his high school sweetheart, the former Kathleen Mitchell in 1948. She died in March 2002. They had two children, Carol Lynn born in 1949, who lives with her husband in Gatlinburg and Dianne born in 1953, who lives in Chattanooga. Mr. Speaks has two grandchildren, LeAnne of San Diego, California, and David of Atlanta, Georgia.  His older brother, David Speaks survives him and lives in San Andreas, California.

Mr. Speaks was a member of First Baptist Church of Chattanooga. He was a 33rd degree Mason and member of Knoxville Kerbela Temple. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was buried in Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Knoxville with full military honors.

Editors Note: James Proud lives with his wife Carol in Gatlinburg, TN.
He may be contacted via email at jamesproud@hotmail.com