Harold Joseph Spiess, Sr.

Our “Big Bull”, Harold Joseph Spiess, Sr., passed peacefully at home on December 30, 2022. He had just turned 90 years old.

Harold was born December 16, 1932 in New Orleans, and was raised there. As an adult, he moved to Mississippi, where he lived for 37 years. Harold spent the last six years of his life, living with his eldest daughter and her family in Slidell.

Harold met the love of his life, Myra Elizabeth Esperance in New Orleans. They married and had five children: Harold, Jr., Mark, Darrell, Heidi and Rhonda. Harold and Myra loved raising their children and living their lives together, until she passed away in 1996.

Harold served his country in the United Stated Navy, and later attended and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in engineering. He was smart and hard-working, and was employed at Aerojet Rocketdyne, Rockwell International, and NASA for decades. When he wasn’t sending solid rocket boosters into space, he loved to play cards and teach his family. Harold was a master bridge player. He was Commander of the VFW Post 4808. He bragged about his alter boy skills, and loved spending plenty of time tinkering with his and his kids’ vehicles, boats, and other equipment. Harold also loved to shrimp, dance, drink wine, tell a good joke, socialize, and travel.

Harold remarried in 1998 to Louise Ellis. They resided in Ocean Springs until Harold moved in with his daughter. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin and Stella (Recknagle) Spiess; his wife, Myra; sons Harold, Jr., and Mark; siblings Donald, James, and Shirley (Harris); grandson Darrell, Jr.; and great-granddaughter Alexis Pierson.

Harold’s legacy lives on through his surviving children Darrell Spiess, Heidi (Jay) Crouch, and Rhonda (Daniel) Braud; his surviving grandchildren Damian Spiess, Ector Gutierrez Carranza, Jr., Gavin Pierson, Jay Crouch, Jr., Amelia Crouch, Caitlyn Fetters, Rhys Fetters, Alyssa Braud, and Autumn Braud; his surviving great-grandchildren Jules, Harry, Max, Camilla, Elliana, Kade, Keeton, and Gavin, Jr. He also had many nieces and nephews that he adored.

Harold had a great love and devotion to Jesus and his Catholic faith. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. There will be no services, as the family decided to celebrate his life, instead, with his big 90^th birthday party, several weeks ago. He will be laid to rest in a private service, surrounded by immediate family, at the family plot.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harold’s name to The Hospice House. Donations can be made by mail to:

The Hospice House
P.O. Box 5806
Slidell, LA 70469

OR via

Pay Pal: MirandaParker@TheHospiceHouse.org
Venmo: @HospiceHouse

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Harold Joseph Spiess, Sr.