Jerry Lee Speck was born on October 31, 1935, in Norton, Kansas, to Clyde and Beulah Speck. His sisters, Karen, Beverly, and Darleen, followed, completing the family.
Clyde was the meat manager for Safeway Foods in Ogallala before moving to North Platte, where he went to work for Sixth Street Foods. He also held an interest in North Platte Livestock. In 1951, when Jerry was 15 years old, the family moved back to Ogallala after Clyde purchased Ogallala Livestock. Jerry grew up in the sale barn and livestock yards, often skipping school on sale days to be there.
Jerry graduated from Ogallala High School in 1954. During high school, he was very active in FFA and was a member of Ogallala’s 1954 State Championship Parliamentary Procedure Team. The team was invited as a guest of Ak-Sar-Ben to perform before an Omaha civic club. Following graduation, Jerry attended the World Wide College of Auctioneering in College Station, Texas.
Jerry married Janice Nutt on February 13, 1958. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960 and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. Their son Mark was born while they were living on base, and their son David was born after they returned to Ogallala.
Jerry assumed management of Ogallala Livestock after his father passed away in June 1977. In 1984, he expanded the family’s livestock marketing interests with the purchase of Chappell Livestock in Chappell, Nebraska.
On July 4, 1981, Jerry married Joan Mary Reed. Through this marriage, daughters Heidi and Gretchen joined his family.
Jerry dedicated his entire life to his family and the livestock industry.
Even after retiring in 2003, he continued to visit the sale barn regularly, filling in and helping wherever he was needed. Following a life-changing automobile accident in 2007, Jerry became an example of courage, strength, and determination. He faced his disabilities with grace, continued to stay involved at the sale barn, kept up with market conditions, and lived each day to the fullest. He also enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop, where he created many unique treasures.
Jerry Speck | 2026
Ogallala Livestock Auction
A devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Ogallala, Jerry served as president of the church’s men’s group and was active in Cowboy Capital Consultants for many years.
Jerry deeply loved his community and dedicated countless hours to civic service. He served two terms on the Ogallala City Council and was president of the Chamber of Commerce, earning both the Trail Blazer Award and the Robert Lute Award. He also served for many years on the Keith County Fair Board and the Ogallala Round-Up Rodeo Board. Jerry was president of the Nebraska Livestock Association and the Keith County Foundation. He took great pride in serving as grounds chairman for the Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous and was instrumental in the inaugural 1991 and 1992 Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraisers for the American Cancer Society at the Haythorn Ranch.
Jerry passed away on September 17, 2020.
Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Joan Mary; sons Mark (Shawna) and David (Minako); daughters Heidi (Rocky) Merrihew and Gretchen (Steven) Kalal; and his sister Darleen (Doug) Mulligan. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jena (Larry) Hengstler, Wade (Cassie) Speck, Tayler (Bailee) Speck, Shota Speck, Maya Speck, Brooke Chylinski, and Bart (Alex) Chylinski, as well as his great-grandchildren Hudson Hengstler, Sutton Speck, Sloane Speck, Clyde Speck, Ila Speck, Reed Speck, and Rory Speck.