James Spear, Sr

James Bennett Spear, Sr., age 77, a Korean war veteran and native Eastern Shoreman, died suddenly on December 18, 2009 at his home in Easton.

Born in Vienna, MD in 1932, he was the son of the late John Walter Spear and Anna Bennett Spear. A graduate of Cambridge High School and the University of Maryland, College Park, he played football and first string soccer, and was in the marching band at both schools as an accomplished clarinet player. He was an avid golfer and throughout the years enjoyed memberships in the Lions Club, Elks Club, American Legion and several Country Clubs. He had a lifelong love of fishing, hunting and boating.

Mr. Spear graduated from Pensacola Naval Flight School and was appointed as a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Marines, flying combat missions in the Korean War.

Following his military service, he founded J.B. Sales Co., a manufacturer's representative agency specializing in utility sales, where he was still working until his death. Jim enjoyed many, many years membership with other representatives from all over the country, in the Electrical Equipment Representatives Association.

Jim, as he was known, was a founding Director and a Leader of Easton Bank and Trust, and was honored with a plaque in his name on the tall American flag seen flying proudly in front of Easton Bank and Trust's main branch.

In 1958 he married Constance Elizabeth of Southwest Harbor, Maine. In addition to his wife he is survived by three beloved children; two daughters Lori and husband Mark P. Higgins of Easton, MD; Deanna and husband Gene Garner of Silver Spring, MD; a son James Bennett Spear, Jr., and wife Nawara of Vienna, Va.; five grandsons James, Casey, and Clark Higgins, Bennett and Becker Spear; one granddaughter Dana Garner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death besides his parents was a brother Jay Spear.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 27th at 2:30 p.m. at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, 308 High St., Cambridge, MD, where the family will receive friends an hour before the service. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. Mary Ann Farnell.

Inurnment with Military Honors will be held Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Family and friends should arrive at the cemetery adminstration building one half hour prior to the scheduled service time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made in Mr. Spear's memory to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. PO Box 5, Vienna, MD 21869 or the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, 315 Aurora Park Drive, Easton, MD 21601.