Killed in action in Ramadi, Iraq, while serving in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Corporal Spears was the recipient of the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart. Preceded in death by his grandparents Miriam and Johnny Kipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Jose Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross.
Extracted from obituary in the Pensacola News Journal, October 2005.
.............................................................
(Notes below added by chuck cummins)
J.R. Spears made some extra cash when he was in high school by working at a sandwich shop, but spent most of his paycheck on sandwiches for the homeless who dropped by. And as a soldier in Iraq, he gave the candy his mother sent him to local children. "He felt so sorry for the kids," said Spears' father, Timothy Spears. Spears, 21, of Molino, Fla., was killed Oct. 23 by small-arms fire in Ramadi. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms. A 6-foot-1, 265-pound offensive lineman in high school, Spears initially was too big and too bulky for the Marines. He attended Pensacola Junior College while dropping nearly 60 pounds. By the time he came home on leave in September, he was down to 180 pounds. His former football coach, Charlie Armstrong, didn't even recognize him. "He was a great kid," Armstrong said. "He had to work for everything he got, but he was very motivated, very dedicated." He is survived by his parents, Timothy and Marie. Spears told relatives in an e-mail that his duty fulfilled a search for purpose. He closed, as he always did, with a message for his mother: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine."
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Corporal Jonathan Ross ( J. R. ) Spears
1984-2005
Corporal Jonathan Ross (J.R.) Spears, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and Marine, died in the service of his country on Sunday, October 23, 2005, in Ramadi, Iraq.
Born June 30, 1984 in Pensacola, FL, J.R. was a lifelong resident of the Molino Community. J.R. was active in sports, including baseball and football, culminating as a starter on the offensive line for Tate High School. Upon graduation from Tate in 2002, J.R. briefly attended Pensacola Junior College, making the Honor Roll. He achieved his goal of being accepted into the United States Marine Corps in 2003. Stationed in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, J.R. was a model infantryman. Commendations include Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart.
J.R. was welcomed in Heaven by grandparents, Miriam and Johnny Skipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Josie Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross; and fellow Marine, Trey Yuhasz.
He is survived by his parents, Tim and Marie Spears; sisters, Jessica and Jennifer; grandmother, Mary Spears; grandparents, Max and Paulene Spears; aunts, Debbie Spears and Renee Agnello; uncles, Edward (Barbara) and Mike (Claire) Agnello; cousins, Kelly (Kevin) Watson, Kolton, Kailyn, Hannah, Ben, Johnny, Bobby and Michael, Jr.; great-uncles, Vance (Joann) Spears, Lewis (Carolyn) Spears, Paul (Ginger) Spears, and Robert and William Gilfillan; and great-aunt, Janice (W.A.) Nesmith. Special aunts, uncles and grandparents include: Leslie Smith, Alvin and Jan Myrick, Mark Smith, Tommy Vance, Donna and Gene Yuhasz, J.W. and Nancy Johnson and Mrs. Lora Jane and Mr. Juna Yuhasz.
J.R. was friend to all that met him, but most especially, his brother in arms and best friend, Corporal Christopher Smith; Kelly Smith, Monica Myrick, Robert Myrick, Tiffany Yuhasz, Ryan Spikes, Douglas Pittman, Stephen Ducker, Missy, Melissa, Nate and the fellow Marines in India Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. He loved you all.
(above obit provided by chuck cummins (#47514473)
Extracted from obituary in the Pensacola News Journal, October 2005.
.............................................................
(Notes below added by chuck cummins)
J.R. Spears made some extra cash when he was in high school by working at a sandwich shop, but spent most of his paycheck on sandwiches for the homeless who dropped by. And as a soldier in Iraq, he gave the candy his mother sent him to local children. "He felt so sorry for the kids," said Spears' father, Timothy Spears. Spears, 21, of Molino, Fla., was killed Oct. 23 by small-arms fire in Ramadi. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms. A 6-foot-1, 265-pound offensive lineman in high school, Spears initially was too big and too bulky for the Marines. He attended Pensacola Junior College while dropping nearly 60 pounds. By the time he came home on leave in September, he was down to 180 pounds. His former football coach, Charlie Armstrong, didn't even recognize him. "He was a great kid," Armstrong said. "He had to work for everything he got, but he was very motivated, very dedicated." He is survived by his parents, Timothy and Marie. Spears told relatives in an e-mail that his duty fulfilled a search for purpose. He closed, as he always did, with a message for his mother: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine."
- - - - - - - -
Corporal Jonathan Ross ( J. R. ) Spears
1984-2005
Corporal Jonathan Ross (J.R.) Spears, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and Marine, died in the service of his country on Sunday, October 23, 2005, in Ramadi, Iraq.
Born June 30, 1984 in Pensacola, FL, J.R. was a lifelong resident of the Molino Community. J.R. was active in sports, including baseball and football, culminating as a starter on the offensive line for Tate High School. Upon graduation from Tate in 2002, J.R. briefly attended Pensacola Junior College, making the Honor Roll. He achieved his goal of being accepted into the United States Marine Corps in 2003. Stationed in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, J.R. was a model infantryman. Commendations include Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart.
J.R. was welcomed in Heaven by grandparents, Miriam and Johnny Skipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Josie Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross; and fellow Marine, Trey Yuhasz.
He is survived by his parents, Tim and Marie Spears; sisters, Jessica and Jennifer; grandmother, Mary Spears; grandparents, Max and Paulene Spears; aunts, Debbie Spears and Renee Agnello; uncles, Edward (Barbara) and Mike (Claire) Agnello; cousins, Kelly (Kevin) Watson, Kolton, Kailyn, Hannah, Ben, Johnny, Bobby and Michael, Jr.; great-uncles, Vance (Joann) Spears, Lewis (Carolyn) Spears, Paul (Ginger) Spears, and Robert and William Gilfillan; and great-aunt, Janice (W.A.) Nesmith. Special aunts, uncles and grandparents include: Leslie Smith, Alvin and Jan Myrick, Mark Smith, Tommy Vance, Donna and Gene Yuhasz, J.W. and Nancy Johnson and Mrs. Lora Jane and Mr. Juna Yuhasz.
J.R. was friend to all that met him, but most especially, his brother in arms and best friend, Corporal Christopher Smith; Kelly Smith, Monica Myrick, Robert Myrick, Tiffany Yuhasz, Ryan Spikes, Douglas Pittman, Stephen Ducker, Missy, Melissa, Nate and the fellow Marines in India Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. He loved you all.
(above obit provided by chuck cummins (#47514473)
Killed in action in Ramadi, Iraq, while serving in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Corporal Spears was the recipient of the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart. Preceded in death by his grandparents Miriam and Johnny Kipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Jose Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross.
Extracted from obituary in the Pensacola News Journal, October 2005.
.............................................................
(Notes below added by chuck cummins)
J.R. Spears made some extra cash when he was in high school by working at a sandwich shop, but spent most of his paycheck on sandwiches for the homeless who dropped by. And as a soldier in Iraq, he gave the candy his mother sent him to local children. "He felt so sorry for the kids," said Spears' father, Timothy Spears. Spears, 21, of Molino, Fla., was killed Oct. 23 by small-arms fire in Ramadi. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms. A 6-foot-1, 265-pound offensive lineman in high school, Spears initially was too big and too bulky for the Marines. He attended Pensacola Junior College while dropping nearly 60 pounds. By the time he came home on leave in September, he was down to 180 pounds. His former football coach, Charlie Armstrong, didn't even recognize him. "He was a great kid," Armstrong said. "He had to work for everything he got, but he was very motivated, very dedicated." He is survived by his parents, Timothy and Marie. Spears told relatives in an e-mail that his duty fulfilled a search for purpose. He closed, as he always did, with a message for his mother: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine."
- - - - - - - -
Corporal Jonathan Ross ( J. R. ) Spears
1984-2005
Corporal Jonathan Ross (J.R.) Spears, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and Marine, died in the service of his country on Sunday, October 23, 2005, in Ramadi, Iraq.
Born June 30, 1984 in Pensacola, FL, J.R. was a lifelong resident of the Molino Community. J.R. was active in sports, including baseball and football, culminating as a starter on the offensive line for Tate High School. Upon graduation from Tate in 2002, J.R. briefly attended Pensacola Junior College, making the Honor Roll. He achieved his goal of being accepted into the United States Marine Corps in 2003. Stationed in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, J.R. was a model infantryman. Commendations include Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart.
J.R. was welcomed in Heaven by grandparents, Miriam and Johnny Skipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Josie Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross; and fellow Marine, Trey Yuhasz.
He is survived by his parents, Tim and Marie Spears; sisters, Jessica and Jennifer; grandmother, Mary Spears; grandparents, Max and Paulene Spears; aunts, Debbie Spears and Renee Agnello; uncles, Edward (Barbara) and Mike (Claire) Agnello; cousins, Kelly (Kevin) Watson, Kolton, Kailyn, Hannah, Ben, Johnny, Bobby and Michael, Jr.; great-uncles, Vance (Joann) Spears, Lewis (Carolyn) Spears, Paul (Ginger) Spears, and Robert and William Gilfillan; and great-aunt, Janice (W.A.) Nesmith. Special aunts, uncles and grandparents include: Leslie Smith, Alvin and Jan Myrick, Mark Smith, Tommy Vance, Donna and Gene Yuhasz, J.W. and Nancy Johnson and Mrs. Lora Jane and Mr. Juna Yuhasz.
J.R. was friend to all that met him, but most especially, his brother in arms and best friend, Corporal Christopher Smith; Kelly Smith, Monica Myrick, Robert Myrick, Tiffany Yuhasz, Ryan Spikes, Douglas Pittman, Stephen Ducker, Missy, Melissa, Nate and the fellow Marines in India Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. He loved you all.
(above obit provided by chuck cummins (#47514473)
Extracted from obituary in the Pensacola News Journal, October 2005.
.............................................................
(Notes below added by chuck cummins)
J.R. Spears made some extra cash when he was in high school by working at a sandwich shop, but spent most of his paycheck on sandwiches for the homeless who dropped by. And as a soldier in Iraq, he gave the candy his mother sent him to local children. "He felt so sorry for the kids," said Spears' father, Timothy Spears. Spears, 21, of Molino, Fla., was killed Oct. 23 by small-arms fire in Ramadi. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms. A 6-foot-1, 265-pound offensive lineman in high school, Spears initially was too big and too bulky for the Marines. He attended Pensacola Junior College while dropping nearly 60 pounds. By the time he came home on leave in September, he was down to 180 pounds. His former football coach, Charlie Armstrong, didn't even recognize him. "He was a great kid," Armstrong said. "He had to work for everything he got, but he was very motivated, very dedicated." He is survived by his parents, Timothy and Marie. Spears told relatives in an e-mail that his duty fulfilled a search for purpose. He closed, as he always did, with a message for his mother: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine."
- - - - - - - -
Corporal Jonathan Ross ( J. R. ) Spears
1984-2005
Corporal Jonathan Ross (J.R.) Spears, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and Marine, died in the service of his country on Sunday, October 23, 2005, in Ramadi, Iraq.
Born June 30, 1984 in Pensacola, FL, J.R. was a lifelong resident of the Molino Community. J.R. was active in sports, including baseball and football, culminating as a starter on the offensive line for Tate High School. Upon graduation from Tate in 2002, J.R. briefly attended Pensacola Junior College, making the Honor Roll. He achieved his goal of being accepted into the United States Marine Corps in 2003. Stationed in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, J.R. was a model infantryman. Commendations include Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert Rifleman and the Purple Heart.
J.R. was welcomed in Heaven by grandparents, Miriam and Johnny Skipper; and great-grandparents, Edward and Josie Spears, and Earl and Lillie Mae Cross; and fellow Marine, Trey Yuhasz.
He is survived by his parents, Tim and Marie Spears; sisters, Jessica and Jennifer; grandmother, Mary Spears; grandparents, Max and Paulene Spears; aunts, Debbie Spears and Renee Agnello; uncles, Edward (Barbara) and Mike (Claire) Agnello; cousins, Kelly (Kevin) Watson, Kolton, Kailyn, Hannah, Ben, Johnny, Bobby and Michael, Jr.; great-uncles, Vance (Joann) Spears, Lewis (Carolyn) Spears, Paul (Ginger) Spears, and Robert and William Gilfillan; and great-aunt, Janice (W.A.) Nesmith. Special aunts, uncles and grandparents include: Leslie Smith, Alvin and Jan Myrick, Mark Smith, Tommy Vance, Donna and Gene Yuhasz, J.W. and Nancy Johnson and Mrs. Lora Jane and Mr. Juna Yuhasz.
J.R. was friend to all that met him, but most especially, his brother in arms and best friend, Corporal Christopher Smith; Kelly Smith, Monica Myrick, Robert Myrick, Tiffany Yuhasz, Ryan Spikes, Douglas Pittman, Stephen Ducker, Missy, Melissa, Nate and the fellow Marines in India Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. He loved you all.
(above obit provided by chuck cummins (#47514473)
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