JAMES A. SPECHT, loving husband, father and grandfather,

was born March 20, 1929, in Weeping Water, Neb., to Dr. Arnold 0. and Abbie F. Specht.

He passed from this world Sept. 24, 2008.

Jim attended school in Weeping Water through the 11th grade and then graduated from Santa Monica High School in California.

Jim was involved in retail management all his adult life.

He held management and/or executive positions in companies in California, Arizona and Ohio before buying a supermarket in York, Neb., from his father-in-law in 1976.

He later also purchased stores in Crete, Neb., and Spencer, Iowa.

He retired in 1994 and moved to Green Valley with his wife, Jeanette (Weary). They spent the years enjoying travel, family and the good life in Green Valley until Jeanette was stricken with cancer, passing away Sept. 14, 2003.

Jim was also very active in the Elks. He was an Exalted Ruler at Lodge 1024 in York and also at Lodge 2592 in Green Valley.

He also served as Trustee and was on several state and district committees.

He met his second wife, Mayme, also a past Exalted Ruler, at the Green Valley Lodge.

Together, they enjoyed very active participation in Elks service and social activities.

He is survived by his wife Mayme; his daughters Peggy (Wallace) Hammond of Tucson, Patti Specht (Alan Kouzmanoff) of New York City, N.Y. and Marianne Easton of Westminster, Colo.; a granddaughter Abbie Kouzmanoff; a grandson Riley James

Easton; and his sister Sara (Bill) Haskins of Sumner, Wash.

Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Jeanette; his parents; and his brothers Murval, Ted and Richard.

A memorial service will be held at the Elks Lodge, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. for friends and guests.

A private memorial service for family members only will be held at a later date.

Memorials to the Elks National Foundation should be directed to Green Valley Elks Lodge #2592, 2951 S. Camino Mercado, Green Valley, AZ 85622.