Dr. Bryant Gordon Speed, age 79, of Selma, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014.

“Don” Speed was born in Mobile, AL in 1935; he spent his formative years in Selma after moving here with his family in 1944. During his youth, he was affiliated with numerous YMCA programs under the direction of Dr. Paul Grist whose influence was important to Don. Educated in Selma’s public schools, he graduated from Albert G. Parrish High School in 1953. He attended the University of Alabama, and upon graduation, entered the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1956, graduating with honors in 1960. Dr. Speed served his country in the U.S. Public Health Service. After that service he returned to the University of Alabama School of Dentistry for orthodontic training, which he completed in 1965. In 1967 he moved his family to his hometown, and began his orthodontic practice which continued until his retirement in 2010. Dr. Speed endeared himself to hundreds of young children and their mothers as he practiced orthodontics in his kind, compassionate way, giving instructions in that inimitable Southern drawl. He was a passionate teacher, continuing in that role at the University of Alabama Dental School; he joined the orthodontic faculty in 1980 and worked there until his retirement in 2010. He is remembered fondly by the students who sat under his tutelage; his influence in that position will be never-ending.

He enjoyed the outdoors, farm projects and horses, and fishing along the gulf coast.

Dr. Speed and his family joined Elkdale Baptist Church in 1969. He leaves a legacy of service to his Lord and his church where he filled many positions of leadership. He served several terms as chair of the deacon body and his faithful service was recognized when he was named Deacon Emeritus in 2012. He was revered as a teacher of young, married couples. Christian commitment was a hallmark of his life. He willingly and unselfishly took on the infinitely difficult task of heading a major building program in spite of a very busy professional life. Characteristic of Dr. Speed, he performed his service to others in a quiet, dignified, unassuming way; his involvement in the life of Elkdale was far-reaching and will continue as his legacy.

Dr. Speed is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Thomas Speed (Evelyn) and his mother Ulna Jeanette Stewart Speed.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Shannon Speed; sons, Bryant Gordon Speed II (Susan) of Rome, GA, John Stewart Speed of Selma and Clayton King Speed (Mary) of Trussville, AL; grandchildren, Bryant Gordon Speed III, Katherine Grace Speed, Thomas Patrick Speed, Mary Owen Hartzog, Ann Shannon Speed, Clayton King Speed, Jr, Isabelle Rhyne Speed, Joshua Graham Speed, Judith Gabrielle Speed; brothers, Robert Christian Key (Mary) of Spanish Fort, AL, Vick Speed (Ann) of Atlanta, GA; brother in law, John James Shannon III (Jan) of Birmingham, AL and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Elkdale Baptist Church with Rev. Cory Horton and Rev. Clayton Speed officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at New Live Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be at Elkdale Baptist Church Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 11:00.

Pallbearers are Bryant Gordon Speed III, Thomas Patrick Speed, Clayton King Speed, Jr., Joshua Graham Speed, Donald Thomas Speed, and John J. Shannon III. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Dr. Brett Wood, Dr. Speed’s professional dental colleagues in the Selma area, and faculty colleagues in the Orthodontic Department of the University of Alabama Dental School.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial gifts to the Smile Train Organization, which provides pediatric surgical care for cleft-palate patients throughout the world, or Elkdale Baptist Church.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.