Frederick T. Sears Sr., 63, of New Philadelphia, formerly of Newcomerstown, died April 4, 2010.
Born Oct. 31, 1946, in Dover, Frederick was a son of the late Frederick W. and Mary Sears. He retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service to his country, and had also retired from Arizona Chemical.
Fred was a life member of the Tuscarawas VFW and a member of the Dover VFW and Eagles Club. He was also a longtime volunteer at the senior center. He was a dedicated career military man who served his country during the Vietnam War and was awarded many medals, including the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry medal with palms.
Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing, but he especially loved panning for gold, which is why he joined the Gold Prospectors Association.
Surviving are children, Bonita (Mark) Young of Dover, Fred Sears Jr. of Key, Charity (John) Wheeler of Cambridge, Christie (Andrew) Morrison of Akron, Catherine Sears of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Suzette (Neal) Brown of New Philadelphia; brothers, Doyal (Judy) Sears of New Philadelphia and Robert (Alice) Sears of Painesville; sisters, Diane (Frank) Abbott of Warminster, Pa., and Louise Palmer of Dover; and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Doyal Sears Sr.; brothers, Dale, Greg, and Ray Sears; and a grandson, Justin Sears.
Services will be held April 10, 2010, at 1 p.m., at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, with Major Robert Sears officiating. Interment will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman. Friends can call April 9, from 6-8 p.m.
Those wishing to share a fond memory of Fred may do so at www.tolandherzig.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fred Sears Memorial Fund at Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, 119 Fillmore Ave., Dover 44622.
