Gary H. Mears, Lieutenant General (U.S. Air Force, Retired), 81, passed away on January 3, 2018, in Jacksonville Beach, FL. He was born May 23, 1936, in Boone, IA.
Gary was born May 23, 1936, in Boone, IA, the son of Jack and Blanche (Wiltse) Mears. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1954.
He graduated from the University of Iowa and received his Air Force commission in 1958, having participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Gen. Mears proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 35 years. His last duty assignment was serving as Director of Logistics (J4) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gary was an avid golfer, reader, and sports fan who loved God, his family, and his country.
He was honored in 2011 with the Tower of Fame Award in Jefferson.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jacqueline; children Gregory Mears, Kimberly Allen, and Tracie Wells (Drew); 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister Judith Mears; and two nieces.
Local survivors include his cousins Valerie Ogren of Carroll, Phyllis Bardole, Marlene Radebaugh and Bll Radebaugh of Rippey, Barbara Tucker of Gowrie, Paul Mears of Grand Junction and John Beltz and Jane Alexander of Jefferson.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Jan. 26, at 1:30 p., at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach, FL.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alliance Defending Freedom.
The family is assisted by Quinn Shalz Funeral Home of Jacksonville Beach, FL, 904-249-1100.
