of Greenbrier, AR
August 25, 1952 - April 5, 2015
Gary Blain Spears, 62, of Greenbrier died Sunday, April 5, 2015, following a two week battle with cancer. He was born August 25, 1952, to the late, Quinton Hershel and Emma Athelene (Kuykendall) Spears. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie Spears Moix; a niece, Tammy Renee Spears; and a nephew, William F. Davis, Jr.
Gary was a lifelong resident of Greenbrier where he graduated high school. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Greenbrier. Gary was a carpenter and framer for many years, starting at 18. He was known for the quality of his work and built many homes that families still enjoy today. He passed along his trade to Justin and Wesley, which they carry on today. The boys worked by his side since they were old enough to hold a hammer. He taught them to have pride in their work and do a good job, be up front and honest and do what you say you will do. Gary loved the outdoors and hunting. He was an avid deer and turkey hunter. He also enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Scotland, Arkansas. Gary was known as an ornery, stubborn, grouchy, grumpy, cranky, cantankerous ole' joker, but at the end of the day he would give you the shirt off his back. If he picked on someone, it meant he liked them. If you earned a nickname you were extra special.
In 1971, he and Donna Merritt Spears were married at Macedonia Baptist Church. They were blessed with two sons, Justin and daughter-in-law Dena and Wesley; and two grandchildren, Madi and Weston. His boys and grandchildren were his life. Gary was always in attendance at his grandchildren's sporting events and anything that involved family.
Others survivors left to cherish his memory are a brother, Quinton Hershel Spears Jr. of Greenbrier; two sisters, Mary K. Davis of Greenbrier and Donnie F. Hawkins of Conway; and a host of friends.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier with Pastors, Freddie Mark Wilcox, Kirk Hardy and Gayland King officiating. Burial will follow at Thorn Cemetery in Greenbrier. Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Spears, Wesley Spears, Jason ''Jabbo'' Spears, Jack Harmon, Junior Spears and Rick Whitley. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Mickey ''Rooney'' Reynolds, Ronnie ''Beatle'' Barton, Jeff Canton, Joe Earnhart, Steve Stark, Sammie Smith and Hershel Smith. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
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33 Condolence(s)
Wesley Spears
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Thank you all for the kindness you've shown our family throughout my father's death! We greatly appreciate each and every one of you! God bless you all!
Linda Lou (Smith)Lindsay
Friday, April 10, 2015
My prayers are you (Donna) and your family.
Alex&Miriam McNespey
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
We will miss Gary at the Kountry Junction because he would walk in acting grumpy and we would call him Sunshine and he would always give us a big smile! He was a special guy!! Justin and Wes you are in our thoughts and prayers .
Bob Bush
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Donna & Family,
We are so sorry about your great loss. Know Gary will be missed by everyone who knew & loved him.
You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers.
Bob & Kay Bush
Ruby Nell Pallmer
Jan Moore
Roger Slayton
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Donna and Boys I am sorry for your lose our prayers our with you. Gary was good man I learned a lot from him back in the early 80s wrorking with him Robert and Terry we where the best framing crew bar none. I have a lot of memories I will never forget. Gary rest in peace Brother.
Jean Wilson Evans
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
To The Spears Family
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Jean Wilson Evans &
Jeannine Evans-Hensley Families
Jason Burroughs
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Dear Donna, Justin, & Wes. We are sorry for your loss. Gary was a good man and will be missed. I played baseball for 15 seasons but the season of 1984 was one of my favorites mainly because Gary was coaching. Gary has always been a friend and a mentor to me. I will miss him.
Burroughs Family.
Joe Graham
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Gary was a teammate of mine on the 1968 Greenbrier basketball team. Gary was a joy to be around and always had a smile. May the Lord comfort you during this difficult time.
Geoff & Sherry Canten Jr
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Donna, Wes, Justin we are so sorry for your lose. He's going to be missed . We have a cabin almost across from y'all's . He always came by to check on us. And him an dad hung out a lot , joking an picking on all of us. God bless an if y'all need anything please call us love you guys.
Carroll & Ina Kissinger
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Family: I only met Mr. Spears two times and enjoyed it both times. However, we came to know Justin &Wesley as we were building a house . These boys do good work. We wish to express our sorrow to the family for their great loss. May god be with you always.
Lynda
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Donna,Wes and Justin- I'm so sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed, I pray God gives you all strength to carry on because that's what he would want. You're all in my prayers and thoughts. Call on me any time.
Love and Prayers
Lynda
Eric Glover
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
So sorry to read of Gary's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Much love to our shared cousins.
Marilyn Baker Story
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Donna, Justin, and Wesley, We are so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the Lord. Love from Marilyn, Justin, and Tara.
Stanley & Michelle Gilmore
Monday, April 6, 2015
We are so sorry for your loss. Gary was a dear friend to us both. Prayers for you all.
Jeff and Renee' Roylston
Monday, April 6, 2015
Justin, Dena, Maddie and the rest of the Spears family. We were so sad to hear of Gary's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Collie and Vicky Shaw
Monday, April 6, 2015
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Leon & Shelly Carter
Monday, April 6, 2015
Your family is in our every Prayer, we Pray for healing and peace for you all. Gary was a Great man that will be missed dearly by many.
Rickey &D.D. Henderson Matthews
Monday, April 6, 2015
We are so sorry for your loss. We will all of you in our prayers. Remember all of the good times.
Donna Berry
Monday, April 6, 2015
Justin & Wesley: Hold on to your memories and all he taught you because as it was stated "at the end of being ornery and stubborn, he'd give the shirt off his back, if you needed it." My memories of Gary will be at the ball fields all those years, he kept us laughing with his dry funny wit. Oh yeah, and the nickname Jack & him called Ryan- the nickname has stuck with Ryan for many years.
Your family has meant so much to us over the years and I sure hate this for all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lindsey York
Monday, April 6, 2015
So very sorry for your loss. I'm going to miss seeing his face at the ball games. He was one in a million! Will be thinking and praying for all of you
Ron and Karen Matthews
Monday, April 6, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Sarah Annette coney Roberts
Monday, April 6, 2015
Donna ..Justin , Wesley and family ....so sorry for your loss ..my prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time . Gary was a good man and I know he will be greatly missed . God bless .. Sarah Annette Coney Roberts
Brenda dowdy
Monday, April 6, 2015
Donna and family so sorry for your loss Gary will be missed by many friends. You in my thoughts and prayers
Jimmy & Jessi Gray
Monday, April 6, 2015
Praying for your family during this time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Jimmy, Jessi and Sunni
Erby, Tanya (Battles), and Faith Foster
Monday, April 6, 2015
Donna, Justin, Wesley, and Family
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. May you have comfort and peace.
Jerry Snowden
Monday, April 6, 2015
Sorry for your lose...Praying for peace and comfort for all.
Euna Garrett
Monday, April 6, 2015
So sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.
Jerry Robbins Family
Monday, April 6, 2015
So sad for your loss, but Heaven's gain. Know that he was not ready to leave all of you, I'm sure you all had many more happy days planned. Gary always had a smile on his face, always stopped and took time to talk to all of us. He was a great man, he will be missed by lots of folks. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. We love you all and praying for you. You will be reunited with him again.
Rick & Melinda Reynolds
Monday, April 6, 2015
To the Spears family we are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Loretta Spears lLoge
Monday, April 6, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. He was such a wonderful person. I remember when he helped build my Granny Spears bathroom and I sat talking to him for hrs. We had the best time and each time I would see him he would give me a hug. My prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
teresa. thorn. schichtl
Monday, April 6, 2015
.prayes. to. the. whole. family. so sorry.
Jim Atkinson
Monday, April 6, 2015
I am very sorry for your loss. I encourage you all to hold to the Lord as your strength and comfort. He can comfort is ways no one else can.
You are all in my prayers.
Blessings!
Jim & Linda Atkinson
Marilyn Whitley
Monday, April 6, 2015
To the Spears Family my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time and the days ahead.