Local pastor H. Spees passes away after falling from cardiac episode

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family and many friends of a beloved Fresno pastor, city leader, and community activist are mourning his passing on Friday night.

Pastor Harold Spees, known as H. Spees, was rushed to a hospital in Florida with a head injury after he passed out and fell during a cardiac event on Wednesday, April 26.

Spees underwent surgery at the hospital but remained in a coma due to swelling and trouble breathing.

On Friday, his family announced that Spees had passed away.

Spees spent decades in Fresno working as an ordained pastor and leading several successful non-profits.

In the '90s, he even moved to an inner-city Fresno neighborhood in hopes of improving the area.

Spees went on to serve in Mayor Lee Brand's administration, tackling issues like human trafficking and neighborhood revitalization.

He also worked for Mayor Jerry Dyer's administration, serving as the Director of Fresno's Housing and Homeless Initiatives.

"I don't think I've ever met anybody in my life like H. Spees," said Dyer after learning of Spees' passing. "Somebody so committed, and devoted and dedicated to his family, to his community, to his faith. What an incredible loss."

In 2020, Spees was appointed as Director of the City of Fresno's Housing and Homeless Initiatives by Dyer.

Spees retired from the job last year but was instrumental in driving the city's homeless program "Project Off-Ramp."

The program has helped move hundreds of unsheltered people into safe shelters with resources to get them back on their feet.

"He poured his heart and soul into the lives of people, he really listened to people," Dyer said.

Last year, Spees received the Homeless Hero Award at Fresno's State of the City event.

For news updates, follow Brittany Jacob on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.