Retired Trucking Executive Breck Speed Dies at 81

Retired trucking executive James Breckinridge “Breck” Speed, a community and business leader for more than 50 years, died Dec. 24 at his home in Fort Smith. He was 81.

According to his obituary, Speed started his career with Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Freight Systems Inc. as a director of terminals, then became vice president of terminals and eventually president of ABF in 1967. He served in leadership positions at ABF for more than 20 years. 

Breck left ABF in 1978 to pursue a venture in the oil and gas industry before returning to the trucking business in 1989, when he and his partners bought USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren. Speed served as the company’s chairman of the board from 1989 to 2000, when he retired. He remained active on the board until 2012. 

Visitation will be Dec. 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith.

Funeral services through Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith will be held Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church.