Jack Mears Obituary

John (Jack) Eldon Mears
Jack Mears passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7th, 2025, at Lofland Center. Jack was born on October 10, 1932. He was the fourth son and final child of William and Carrie Workman Mears of Seaford, DE.
As a young boy, Jack learned the value of hard work, as he was expected to perform his chores on his family's dairy farm. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
Upon his arrival home, he took a job at the new DuPont Nylon Plant. One evening he attended a Seaford Eagles baseball game, and it was there he met a beautiful young woman from Bridgeville, named Ann Newton. They were wed shortly after and shared 45 years of marriage together.
Soon after his marriage, Jack enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed overseas, mostly in Germany and Sweden. He was part of a team of men that worked on the "Atomic Annie", an experimental cannon that was as long as a football field.
After Jack's honorable discharge, he and Ann settled down in Seaford to begin a family. His first daughter was born in 1958, a second daughter in 1959.
Jack wore many different hats during his career. First as a salesman for Royster Fertilizer, next, along with his brother Wink, opened Mears Superthrift. In his later years he became a real estate salesman for Calloway, Farnell, and Moore, retiring in 1997 to care for his ailing wife.
Jack had many hobbies and most of them involved singing. He enjoyed singing with various local barbershop quartets, showcasing his beautiful tenor harmonizing voice. He was a member of the Salisbury chapter of SPEBSQSA, singing with a choir of talented men. Jack was a member of the Seaford Lions Club and enjoyed performing comedy skits and songs for their annual variety show, with his nephews Rex and Bill.
Several years after that, Jack was an unofficial chartered member of the Adams Oil morning coffee gang, where world problems were discussed and solved, with lots of laughter. In his later years he was a member and served on the board of the Nanticoke Senior Center. He loved to show off his pool playing skills every morning with his buddies and playing poker every Thursday.
Up until his decline, Jack was proud to be the oldest active member at Planet Fitness, and he loved his royalty status when he entered there.
Jack lived his life with love in his heart and a squinty eyed grin on his face. He was a kind and gentle man and could be counted on to cook some lip-smacking BBQ chicken. Jack also had a wicked sense of humor, and he loved to make people laugh. He loved all people, especially his family. He was one of kind and will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife Ann, brothers R. Glen Mears of Clearwater, FL, Ray S. Mears, and William (Wink) Mears of Seaford, his nephew R.G. Mears, Jr., and his longtime companion Ruth McKelvey of Seaford.
Jack is survived by his daughters, Laura Mears (companion Kevin Hochstedler) of Seaford, Jinny Bird (husband Frank) of Dagsboro, his beloved grandchildren, Angela (John) Passwaters of Georgetown, Brian (Holly) Bird of Severna Park, MD, and Jessica Bird of Dagsboro. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Jase and Vivian Passwaters and Lucas and Colin Bird, many close nieces and nephews and special friend Doris Lowe.
The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice, Lofland Memory Care Unit and Seaford Genesis Center for their awesome care of our sweet Jack. You all are the best.
Per Jack's wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes to be buried in the family plot next to his wife. There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, July 20, 2025. from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Ross Station Event Center, 585 N Market St Ext, Seaford, DE 19973. Everyone is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, family respectfully requests donations in his memory to Nanticoke Senior Center, 1001 Locust St., Seaford, DE 19973.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.