John Walter Sears, 81, passed away on Aug. 23, 2024, in Chehalis, Washington. His wife of 62 years, Susan, and three daughters, Lori, Leilani and Trisha, were at his side.
Son of Anna and Walter Sears, he was born June 26, 1943, in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Mossyrock High School in 1961, where he played various sports, including leading Mossyrock to its first football state championship and met his wife, Susan, from the rival town of Morton. John and Susan married on Dec. 16, 1962, and moved to Ellensburg, Washington, to attend Central Washington University. John enrolled in officer training and earned his BA in geology. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel, with duty stations in North Carolina, Vietnam, Hawaii, Florida and California. He moved his family back to Washington State when the girls reached school age to give them the opportunity to grow up in the same community where he and Susan were raised. He was always quite handy and designed and built their house and horse barn. Their home was constantly visited by friends and family (and ex-boyfriends of the girls). He was affectionately called “Eddie” for his Eddie Munster slicked back, thick hair. His love of horses was passed down to his daughters, and he led many trail rides with them, always singing the Marine’s Hymn. John served in the Marine Corps reserves on Whidbey Island for several years, flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and occasionally landing in the horse pasture on his way by the house.
John worked as a logger and then a forest products manager in Rochester, Washington. He was anxious to retire early and took his mules to Dillon, Montana, where he and Susan enjoyed fly fishing, riding their ATV and the beautiful country. After just a couple of years, however, they decided that the warmth of Arizona was the place for them. They spent over 20 years wintering in Queen Valley, Arizona, where they made numerous lifelong friends. John served as the marshal of the local golf course for a number of years, and he and Susan played golf, rode their ATV and hosted many happy hours with their beloved friends and family.
John has been described by friends as a “hero” and “one of the finest people I have ever met.” He was an extremely generous tipper and loved to tell a good joke or story. After a couple of drinks, he would often recite the Gettysburg Address, the information on the back of the Crest toothpaste tube or, the family favorite, “Ode to an Oosik.” He will lovingly be remembered for his sparkling blue eyes and mischievous grin.
John is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters, Lori, Leilani, and Trisha Sears; grandson Elliot Townsend; sister Sharon Gatz; nephews Rex and Donn Birley; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Walter Sears; sister Betty Birley; and brother-in-law Dick Birley.
A celebration of his life, catered by Bonanza BBQ, will be held at the Mossyrock Horse and Riders Club, 114 Ciannigan Hill Road, Silver Creek, Washington, 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. There will be a private, graveside service with military honors for the family prior to the celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
