Obituary of Mark Speros

Mark Hughes Speros, self proclaimed curmudgeon, passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 83, in his home in Westminster, Colorado, with his son, daughter-in-law, and their Basset Hounds by his side.

Born to Dr. James T. Speros and Mary Kathryn Speros (Hughes) on June 10th, 1939, in Portland, Oregon, Mark and his older twin brother (by 7 minutes) Tom, were well known for their hi jinx around the Hollywood District where they grew up. The two also perfected the fine art of torturing their younger sister Elisabeth.

After graduating from Grant High School in 1957, Mark attended the University of Oregon from 1957- 1958. He then attended Lewis and Clark College for one year in 1959, before joining the United States Army where he was assigned to the 115th Intelligence Corps Group from 1960 to1962. After finishing his active duty, Mark resumed his studies at Lewis and Clark, where he Majored in Sociology with an emphasis in deviant behavior and minored in Speech Arts with an emphasis in broadcasting.

It was also at Lewis and Clark that he met his true love. Melody Richards. Mark and Melody (M&M as they became known to the family) met on Valentine's day 1963, and the rest they say is history. Melody became Melody Speros on July 31, 1964.

Mark worked for a short time as a private detective as well as, a detective for the Portland Police Department as a finger print specialist, before finally settling into a career in the “small ticket lease” industry. One of his prouder achievements was repossessing a log truck while on a family vacation.

He was always there for his children. He was an expert blanket fort builder, a fairy tale reader, a soccer coach, an Indian Scouts leader and a very talented skateboarder. That last one might be an exaggeration. He taught his children, by example, what being a husband and father should look like. He loved his family selflessly, and did everything possible to make sure they knew it. Mark instilled in his children a very strong set of values, and an even stronger work ethic.

His love of community lead Mark to help bring the Crime Prevention program to Portland, even dressing as Mac Gruff the Crime Dog for a community event at Waterfront Park. He helped get Neighborhood Watch Programs going in many Portland neighborhoods. After retirement he applied, and was excepted into, the Colorado Police Academy (the oldest person to do so), worked as a park ranger and volunteered with the City of Westminster City Hall. He also loved telling people he was a “COWCOP”, City of Westminster Citizens on Patrol.

Known for his dry sense of humor, Mark enjoyed a good battle of wits. To be invited to participate in one of those battles was a, sometimes misunderstood, show of respect.

Mark will be missed by his daughter and son-in-law, Cheriann and Nick Reeves of Monmouth, Oregon, son and daughter-in-law Mark and Andria Speros of Westminster, Colorado, son Stefan Speros and his partner Sophiya Marie of Denver, Colorado, his 4 grandchildren Michael Crane, of Rochester, New York, Michele Crane of Northglenn, Colorado, Marko and Maria Melody Speros of Denver,Colorado, and his sister and brother-in-law Elisabeth and George McCrea of Springfield, Virginia. His wife and best friend Melody Lee Speros (Richards) died in 1997, his brother and childhood co-conspirator Tom Speros died in 2001.