Donald Usaf

Donald E. Spears Lt. Col. USAF Ret, 84, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at his residence in Abilene. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Visitation will be from 6:00 8:00 PM on Friday, June 19, 2009 at Elmwood Funeral Home.

Donald was born November 13, 1924 in Ceredo, West Virginia to William Roscoe and Emma Lillie Spears. He was a 1943 graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School. Soon after graduating he joined the Army Air Corp during World War II. After three years of service, he continued his education at the University of Kentucky where he played football under coach Paul Bear Bryant and graduated in 1950. His loyalties to our country lead him to join the Air Force in 1950 and continue his service until his retirement in 1979 as a Lt. Colonel. He married the love of his life Dorothy in 1951, and they shared 57 wonderful years of marriage until her passing in July of 2008. He was a proud dedicated father and grandfather who honored his country through 33 years of dedicated service and 3 wartimes. His favorite way to spend his time was watching football and cheering for the Cowboys.

Survivors include his youngest brother, Clyde; three children, Donald Edward Spears II and wife Elaine of Joshua, Deborah Piercefield and husband Rick of Ft. Worth, and David Michael Spears and wife Rhonda of Abilene; six grandchildren, Cynthia Denise Rogan, Jennifer Christine Bryant and husband Michael, David Joseph Piercefield and wife Melinda, Amber Renee Smith, Austin Jay Piercefield and Tyler Jacob Spears; four great grandchildren, Dakota Keller, Autumn Bryant, Emma Bryant and Nevaeh Smith. He will be greatly missed by all his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Roscoe and Emma Lillie Spears and five siblings.

Memorial donations are suggested to: The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Office of Development, 1501 NW 9th AvenueBob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494, Make a gift by phone: 1-800-327-4545 toll-free in the U.S.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, June 19, 2009
6:008:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, June 20, 2009
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

The National Parkinson foundation, Inc.
1501 NW 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road,
Miami,, FL  33136