Mark William Spears
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Mark William Spears passed away on January 14, 2015 at 9:05 p.m. He was born on November 21, 1948 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Erna and Alexander Spears. He graduated from Ruskin High School in 1967, joining the Air Force in 1968. Mark obtained the rank of Tech Sergeant and was deployed overseas and in the US before returning to Missouri. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting and metal detecting as a member of the Midwestern Artifact Society metal detecting club. Mark enjoyed the simple things in life and took great joy in the company of friends and family. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 45 years, Gayle, three beautiful daughters: Holly Olson (John) Laura Rodriguez (Gabe) and Melissa Echterling (Luke), seven grandchildren who love him dearly; two sisters and one brother. The family expresses their gratitude to the wonderful staff at the KC VA and the KC Hospice. Please donate in his memory to Wounded Warrior Project or to Wayside Waifs. Visitation will be at St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 1111 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, MO 64083, at 2 PM on Sunday, January 18, 2015, followed by a celebration of life at 3 PM.
Mark was the kind of person who made you glad to be his friend. I enjoyed being with him no matter what kind of goofy idea he came up with. The week before Christmas he talked me into taking him metal detecting if the temp got into the 30’s.
It wasn’t until I was with his beautiful family, did I find out about the real Mark. He was a kind,caring and loving person who put his grandkids, daughters and devoted wife ahead of his metal detecting. I’ll never forget him, a good friend
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Spears. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
I met Mark because he’s my son Luke’s father-in-law. We also had the pleasure to co-grandfather Eamon, Liam, and Maeve. I can only hope to maintain the high standard he set in those roles. He was always cheerful, generous, sometimes mischievous (of course), and loving. You have left a very positive legacy, Mark. Well done–rest in peace. See you on the other side, brother.
Mark was a wonderful man who I knew for a brief moment in life. He loved his wife and his children dearly. He was a very funny, the best sense of humor, which I admired greatly. Mark was honorable, fun, and All American. Word of your passing weighs heavy on me. Mark, you were the best. Godspeed.