Barry Spiecker

Barry Robert Spiecker's Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at Salem Baptist Church, 6468 Salem Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230, on Friday, February 4, 2022. Visitation will be held from 4pm to 6 pm. His Celebration of Life service will be at 7pm. His interment will be held in Rockwood, TN at a date to still be determined. If you would like to honor Barry, please make a donation to Salem Baptist Church, in lieu of flowers. The donations will be used to purchase Bibles for people in Croatia in their own language. You may send your donation directly to Salem Baptist Church, 6468 Salem Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230. Please make a note that your donation is in honor of Barry.

Having trusted Christ as his Savior at a young age, Barry, at 80 years old, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 6:10 am. His wife, 3 children, a granddaughter and a sister-in-law were by his side at home. His 2 sons-in-law also shared in that time. Barry entered Heaven very gracefully and peacefully after a relatively short battle with cancer. David, his son, had us all imagining him saying "Howdy! Howdy! Howdy!" as he entered the Gates of Heaven just as he did every time he came in the door at home.

Barry is survived by his sweetheart of 56 plus years, M Joyce Bartlett Spiecker, his 3 children and their spouses whom he loved dearly: Kimberly Ann Albert (Brett), Robin Michele Harm (Derek), and David Robert Spiecker (Jill). He had 11 cherished grandchildren and gained 5 more through marriage: Bridget Albert, Michael Albert (Laura Beth), Joshua Harm (Sydney), Jessica Harm Kashi (Jadan), Katie Albert, Jonathan Harm (Jamie), Mark Albert, Adam Harm (Jeanna), Andrew Harm, Erin Albert, and John Robert Spiecker. Barry was thrilled to meet his only great granddaughter, Lilian Harm, in November.

Barry was born on May 8, 1941, to Fredrick Robert Spiecker and Isabel Esmarian Spiecker in New York City. Growing up in Patterson, NJ, he was a Boy Scout and had his first job selling Christmas candy at 9 years old. In his own words, he had a good operation going and made a couple hundred bucks, which was pretty good money for a kid! Shortly after that, Barry started delivering newspapers and quickly grew the largest paper route in Patterson. At 11 years old, he hired two delivery boys so he could go out and get more customers. The paper was $.32, and people would usually pay with 2 quarters, which resulted in a great profit!

Barry accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was 8 or 9 years old. His dad led him to the Lord. He asked Jesus into his heart to save him and forgive his sins. Several years later, he was at Bible Camp. One of the speakers, Brother Crow, spoke on Exodus 12:13 (...and when I see the blood, I will pass over you) That is when Barry realized his salvation did not depend on himself, and God sees us through that perfect blood. We simply have to ask Jesus to forgive us our sins and that blood covers our sins and we are forgiven. That is when Barry got assurance of his salvation and hasn't doubted it since that day. Dad loves the hymn "When I See the Blood". Barry and Joyce have been faithful members at Salem Baptist Church for more than 40 years.

After high school graduation, Barry went on to attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1962. The four years he spent at Bob Jones University were some of his most treasured times, growing personally and in his relationship with the Lord.

Barry met his beautiful wife, Joyce, in Nashville, TN and wooed her into marrying him in 1965 after a couple years of dating. Anyone who knew Barry also knew of his great love for Joyce. He searched for a woman who was like his beloved Nanny, who was strong and caring. God gave him his heart's desire in Joyce. Barry also served in the Air National Guard Reserves during this time. Their oldest daughter was born in Nashville, TN. After a move to Evansville, IN, another daughter and a son were born. Barry and Joyce moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1974 and have resided in the same house since that time. He provided very well for his family which allowed Joyce to be at home with the kids. Family dinners with real life discussions, beach vacations, playing checkers, and reading Sunday comics together are some of the kids' favorite memories. In his later years, everyone knew how much he loved his grandchildren. He loved talking with all of his family about what was going on in their lives, as well as debating spiritual or doctrinal questions. Grilled cheese sandwiches, sliced bananas, French Toast, the game of Memory, and many, many trips to the park are among the special times spent with the grandkids.

Barry was a travelling Salesman through and through. He started his career selling ladies' lingerie, went on to sell ladies' apparel with Bobbie Brooks for 18 years. California Ivy and Genesis Clothing followed. Barry won multiple awards and Top Salesman of the Year several times. However, he knew and voiced that those rewards were temporal, and his real rewards would be waiting for him in Heaven. He always said he would never retire, and he delivered auto parts for Advanced Auto for a while and then KOI until he was physically unable to do so this past summer. Even then, his motivation to recover was to get back to work because he enjoyed being around people so much. He truly enjoyed getting to know his customers and sought to serve them to the best of his ability. His favorite hobby was scrapping. He so enjoyed stripping things down to the metal and scrapping it.

Barry loved his family, and he loved his Lord. Song of Solomon 7:10 was one of his favorite verses. "I am my beloved's, and His desire is toward me." He knew that the very God and Creator of the Universe loved and wanted him. He was so humbled by that thought. Barry shared his faith with all those around him. He was true. He was real. He took God at His word and trusted Him completely. His family and many more will miss him greatly. We praise God for all we have learned and loved and laughed about with him!