Columbus
Tom Lear, 86, of Columbus, Indiana, was welcomed into the arms of our Lord at his home on September 19, 2016.
Tom was born January 21, 1930, in Kokomo. Tom swerved in the U.S. Army from 1949-1953. He married his childhood sweetheart, Jeannine Parker, on February 2, 1951. Tom was a corporate real estate developer for both Shell Oil and Ben Franklin until 1981. He also worked for Breeden Real Estate Company here in Columbus after which he became a home builder. Tom and Jeannine moved their family to Columbus in 1978. Tom enjoyed playing basketball and football in his youth and was part of the Kokomo Boosters baseball team in Kokomo. He also played golf and enjoyed bowling.
Tom’s passions were baseball, IU basketball, reading, politics and his country. He was also passionate about many current issues facing our country and enjoyed sharing his views with others.
He taught adult Sunday school classes at Asbury United Methodist where he took old movies and related them to the church and current issues. One of his favorite pastimes, besides watching his grandchildren in all of their activities, was sitting under his shade tree reading a book and listening to the Cubs, the Reds, or Rush Limbaugh. On a rainy day he could be found in the kitchen baking homemade pies or making noodles.
Above all things, Tom loved his family and his dogs. He will be remembered for his kind heart, generous spirit, warmth, sense of humor and overwhelming love. He was known for being generous with anyone he ever met. He was always willing to lend his time or money to anyone in need. As a true sign of his giving and helpful spirit, he has donated his body to IU Medical School in hopes that it will help with cancer research.
Tom is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Jeannine; their children, Jeff (Nancy) Lear of Columbus, Samra (Rick) Hallett of San Diego, California, and Andra (Dan) Hirsch of Columbus; grandchildren, Erica Lear, Lace Lear, Damein Lear, Adam Hallett and Brooke Fleming and Hailey and Parker Hirsch; and several great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Tom at Asbury United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016, with visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Please join the family in celebrating his wonderful life.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Bartholomew County Hospice, Hillsdale College or the American Cancer Society. Flowers may be sent to the Lear home.
