John Samuel Spear

John Samuel Spear died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at his home in Clay Springs, Navajo County, Arizona following a brief and sudden illness. He was 79 years old. John was born on Sunday, May 14, 1933 in Springville, Union County, Illinois to his parents, the late Otis Pearl and Eva (Warren) Spear. As a young boy of 8 years old, John moved to Arizona. He met and married his wife and, mother of his children, Ruby Davis in Winslow, Arizona in 1954. Following their marriage, John joined The United States Army, serving in the Korean War. When he received his honorable discharge from the military in 1958, he returned to his home in Arizona and began working in construction, logging and then, retired as the original owner of Spears Store in Clay Springs. John was known, and respected, for the contributions he made to his community. He loved the outdoor life and enjoyed spending time in the woods hunting and fishing. He also loved going to Rocky Point, Mexico with his family and friends. John Samuel Spear is survived by his 9 children: Dave & Barbara Spear, Daniel & Melissa Spear, Johnny & Monty Spear, Ronald "Red" & Charlene Spear, Ava & Duke Garvin, Nell & Bob Petersen, Sonya & Jon Nikolaus, Elizabeth Campbell, Sandi & Shane Koury; 3 sisters, 1 brother and nearly 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby in 2009, and by 2 brothers and 1 sister. The visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 1:00 P.M., Monday, April 22, 2013 at the Clay Springs Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5150 Highway 260 in Clay Springs where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service with military honors will immediately follow at The Clay Springs Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest along side his sweet wife, Ruby. The Spear family is thankful for the many expressions of sympathy they have received and are especially grateful for the prayers offered up on their behalf.