Biography: Albert Theodore Speed, 17, of Little Rock, died Friday, May 26, 2006. He is survived by his parents, Julia Ann Baldridge and Gary N. Speed of Little Rock; his sister Maggie C. B. Smith, also of Little Rock; his maternal grandmother Olive Baldridge of Heber Springs; his aunt, Kathryn Ann Speed and his cousin, Kirstin Kelly both of Guelph, Ontario. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lou Edna Speed and L.T. Speed of Conway and his maternal grandfather William Theodore Baldridge of Heber Springs. He was born in Little Rock on November 9, 1988. Albert was a junior at Central High School. He was an outstanding student and scholar who excelled at mathematics and loved literature and languages. He was looking forward to attending Arkansas Governor’s School this summer. He had been active in the Scouting program since age six as members of Cub Scout Pack 30, Boy Scout Troop 30, Venturing Crew 30 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, and had achieved the rank of Life Scout. Despite his other many interests, he was working to complete his Eagle Rank by his 18th birthday. He was a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended the 2001 National Boy Scout Jamboree, Florida Sea Base in 2002 and Philmont Scout Ranch in 2003. At Philmont, he completed an 80-mile trek that went over the 12,400-ft. peak of Mount Baldy in New Mexico. He loved all types of high adventure activities, including backpacking, rock climbing, caving, kayaking, rafting, windsurfing and sailing. Since childhood, he loved music, honing his skills as a guitarist and constantly listening to jazz and rock. He greatly admired John Lennon and enjoyed listening to everything from Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Buffett. He saw the Rolling Stones in concert twice. For more than a year, Albert had worked at Satellite Café, first as a bus boy and then as barista, giving him an appreciation for quality coffees, teas and food, and he loved his job and his fellow employees. His life was also filled with many friends with diverse interests and backgrounds, and he loved them. He was very fortunate to have had many wonderful teachers at Jefferson Elementary, Pulaski Heights Middle School, and Central High, and Scout leaders at St. Paul UMC, whose help and guidance he valued and who added so much to his life. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Little Rock. Rev. Thompson Murray and Rev. John Fleming will officiate. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Community Foundation or to the Albert Speed memorial fund at the Quapaw Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.