Obituary of George Leland “Speedy” Harrell

George Leland “Speedy” Harrell, age 91 of Rockledge, Florida passed away on Monday, April 22, 2019. He was born in Rockledge, Florida on September 28, 1927 to George Lewis and Chana Lee Collier Harrell, both whom preceded him in death. George is survived by his loving family, daughter, Wanda Harrell Speir; son, George Alan Harrell; grandchildren, Angela M. (Robert) Stone and Dr. Chana M. Speir; great grandsons, Owen David and Bennett Andrew Stone; too many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins to count! All of the family members pale in comparison to all of the friends he has made from all walks of life over his awesome 91 years! George Retired from the United States Post Office at age 55 and has enjoyed every minute of every day since! Served in the Army in World War II, shortly after high school, earning an Army of Occupation medal and World War II Victory medal Attended Stetson University in DeLand on a football scholarship Creator and Founder of Mosquito Beaters. More than 4,000 on the past attendance list and it has grown every year for 34 years. Created the Space Coast Post Card Collectors’ Club and the Florida Knife Collectors’ Club Won many awards for his personal knife collection Volunteered at the Florida Historical Library and was sought after by MANY for his knowledge of local history. Written and published 4 books on Brevard County history Whittled with a pocket knife and cracked a whip like a true Cowboy Taught us all to travel by “hanging a lefter or righter” and never going straight there. Drove from Cocoa to California shortly after Disneyland opened with Mary Lou, Wanda, Alan, and both of his parents, in a car with no A/C, stopping at ‘wayside parks’ for lunch from the cooler to save money Wanda’s weekend baton competitions were always a family trip. He would take Alan to do something fun while Mary Lou stayed with Wanda for the competition. They would come back in time to watch Wanda’s performance. Then on Sunday it was a family day. Coached Angie’s softball team to the USSSA World Series for three years. Angie and he would swing too high on the front porch swing. Once they “lost control” and swung through the living room window. Taught Chana (named after his mother) to drive when she was way too young. He joked that the dogs on the side of the road were “lent up” against the fence to stay out of danger. He knew it was wrong to stop a car on the railroad tracks, because his darling little 6 or 7 year old Granddaughter, Chana yelled at him ”GO GO You Little Idiot, GO! Received the key to the City of Cocoa twice- almost 20 years apart He told Wanda when she was very young, “Just because you were born a girl, does not mean you cannot do anything you want”! A very forward thinking Dad in the 50’s. Visitation and viewing will be on Sunday, April 28th from 1:30-3pm, funeral service begins at 3pm at Rockledge Presbyterian Church, 921 Rockledge Dr., Rockledge. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at Merritt Island Moose Lodge, 3150 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island immediately following his service. George will be laid to rest with US Army military honors at 10am on Monday, April 29th at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 US-1, Rockledge. We could fill volumes with all the things our Dad did, earned, and taught us. We are hoping each of you have some stories to tell and will be at the “Celebration of Life” Reception at the Moose Lodge following this service and share your stories with us!