John Marion "Johnny" Sears, age 88, passed away peacefully in his home in Franklin, TN, on Sunday morning, September 5, 2021, with his son, Jason, at his side. John was born on November 17, 1932, to Ada Warf and Walter Eugene Sears, in rural southwestern Williamson County, growing up farming with his father, who also served as a justice-of-the- peace in his community.
John attended college at Middle Tennessee State College, studying Mathematics. There he met the love-and light of his life, Neuva Sharp of Nashville, whom he wed shortly after his graduation. John and Neuva had 3 children: Michael, Joan and Jason. John was commissioned as a Naval officer in 1955, serving first as a meteorological officer, then attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, to earn a master of science in Oceanography. Retiring after 30 years of service, Captain Sears' most notable achievements included serving as Executive then Commanding Officer of Naval Western Oceanographic Center, Pearl Harbor, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Bay St. Louis, MS.
Once retired, John and Neuva embarked upon founding and building the Diamondhead United Methodist Church in MS. They remained passionately involved with its congregation and operations for over 2 decades, even returning after Hurricane Katrina hit their community days later to help others with its aftermath.
Personally, John loved sports of all types, coaching baseball and softball for his children and playing scratch golf most of his life. He loved music, with a special place in his heart for Sissel Kyrkjebø's song, "Slow Down". John loved and cared for his and Neuva's family his entire life, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength, living a Christ-centered life in his every breath and was glad to have returned to Franklin for his final years on this earth.
John is preceded in death by wife, Neuva Sharpe Sears; son, Mike Sears; grandson, Seager Degen and older brother, Everett Sears.
Survived by daughter, Joan (Pete) Degen of Haines, AK; son, Jason (April) Sears of Rabat, Morocco; grandsons, Murphy (Erika) Degen of South Jordan, UT, and Michael Forrest (Kaela) Sears of Portland, OR; loving nieces, Shirley (David) Waddington, Reba (Wayne) Stinson, Karen (Christian) Lawrence, Pamela (Joe) Hicks, Tracie (Dean) Johnson; nephew, Jerry (Melva) Law and Steve Sears; great-nieces, Becky (Robert) Wood, Shara (Thomas) Hamlett and Ruby Lawrence; grand-nephew, Graham Sears and sister-in-laws, Carolyn Hicks and Peggy Sears.
John attended college at Middle Tennessee State College, studying Mathematics. There he met the love-and light of his life, Neuva Sharp of Nashville, whom he wed shortly after his graduation. John and Neuva had 3 children: Michael, Joan and Jason. John was commissioned as a Naval officer in 1955, serving first as a meteorological officer, then attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, to earn a master of science in Oceanography. Retiring after 30 years of service, Captain Sears' most notable achievements included serving as Executive then Commanding Officer of Naval Western Oceanographic Center, Pearl Harbor, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Bay St. Louis, MS.
Once retired, John and Neuva embarked upon founding and building the Diamondhead United Methodist Church in MS. They remained passionately involved with its congregation and operations for over 2 decades, even returning after Hurricane Katrina hit their community days later to help others with its aftermath.
Personally, John loved sports of all types, coaching baseball and softball for his children and playing scratch golf most of his life. He loved music, with a special place in his heart for Sissel Kyrkjebø's song, "Slow Down". John loved and cared for his and Neuva's family his entire life, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength, living a Christ-centered life in his every breath and was glad to have returned to Franklin for his final years on this earth.
John is preceded in death by wife, Neuva Sharpe Sears; son, Mike Sears; grandson, Seager Degen and older brother, Everett Sears.
Survived by daughter, Joan (Pete) Degen of Haines, AK; son, Jason (April) Sears of Rabat, Morocco; grandsons, Murphy (Erika) Degen of South Jordan, UT, and Michael Forrest (Kaela) Sears of Portland, OR; loving nieces, Shirley (David) Waddington, Reba (Wayne) Stinson, Karen (Christian) Lawrence, Pamela (Joe) Hicks, Tracie (Dean) Johnson; nephew, Jerry (Melva) Law and Steve Sears; great-nieces, Becky (Robert) Wood, Shara (Thomas) Hamlett and Ruby Lawrence; grand-nephew, Graham Sears and sister-in-laws, Carolyn Hicks and Peggy Sears.
John Marion "Johnny" Sears, age 88, passed away peacefully in his home in Franklin, TN, on Sunday morning, September 5, 2021, with his son, Jason, at his side. John was born on November 17, 1932, to Ada Warf and Walter Eugene Sears, in rural southwestern Williamson County, growing up farming with his father, who also served as a justice-of-the- peace in his community.
John attended college at Middle Tennessee State College, studying Mathematics. There he met the love-and light of his life, Neuva Sharp of Nashville, whom he wed shortly after his graduation. John and Neuva had 3 children: Michael, Joan and Jason. John was commissioned as a Naval officer in 1955, serving first as a meteorological officer, then attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, to earn a master of science in Oceanography. Retiring after 30 years of service, Captain Sears' most notable achievements included serving as Executive then Commanding Officer of Naval Western Oceanographic Center, Pearl Harbor, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Bay St. Louis, MS.
Once retired, John and Neuva embarked upon founding and building the Diamondhead United Methodist Church in MS. They remained passionately involved with its congregation and operations for over 2 decades, even returning after Hurricane Katrina hit their community days later to help others with its aftermath.
Personally, John loved sports of all types, coaching baseball and softball for his children and playing scratch golf most of his life. He loved music, with a special place in his heart for Sissel Kyrkjebø's song, "Slow Down". John loved and cared for his and Neuva's family his entire life, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength, living a Christ-centered life in his every breath and was glad to have returned to Franklin for his final years on this earth.
John is preceded in death by wife, Neuva Sharpe Sears; son, Mike Sears; grandson, Seager Degen and older brother, Everett Sears.
Survived by daughter, Joan (Pete) Degen of Haines, AK; son, Jason (April) Sears of Rabat, Morocco; grandsons, Murphy (Erika) Degen of South Jordan, UT, and Michael Forrest (Kaela) Sears of Portland, OR; loving nieces, Shirley (David) Waddington, Reba (Wayne) Stinson, Karen (Christian) Lawrence, Pamela (Joe) Hicks, Tracie (Dean) Johnson; nephew, Jerry (Melva) Law and Steve Sears; great-nieces, Becky (Robert) Wood, Shara (Thomas) Hamlett and Ruby Lawrence; grand-nephew, Graham Sears and sister-in-laws, Carolyn Hicks and Peggy Sears.
John attended college at Middle Tennessee State College, studying Mathematics. There he met the love-and light of his life, Neuva Sharp of Nashville, whom he wed shortly after his graduation. John and Neuva had 3 children: Michael, Joan and Jason. John was commissioned as a Naval officer in 1955, serving first as a meteorological officer, then attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, to earn a master of science in Oceanography. Retiring after 30 years of service, Captain Sears' most notable achievements included serving as Executive then Commanding Officer of Naval Western Oceanographic Center, Pearl Harbor, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Bay St. Louis, MS.
Once retired, John and Neuva embarked upon founding and building the Diamondhead United Methodist Church in MS. They remained passionately involved with its congregation and operations for over 2 decades, even returning after Hurricane Katrina hit their community days later to help others with its aftermath.
Personally, John loved sports of all types, coaching baseball and softball for his children and playing scratch golf most of his life. He loved music, with a special place in his heart for Sissel Kyrkjebø's song, "Slow Down". John loved and cared for his and Neuva's family his entire life, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength, living a Christ-centered life in his every breath and was glad to have returned to Franklin for his final years on this earth.
John is preceded in death by wife, Neuva Sharpe Sears; son, Mike Sears; grandson, Seager Degen and older brother, Everett Sears.
Survived by daughter, Joan (Pete) Degen of Haines, AK; son, Jason (April) Sears of Rabat, Morocco; grandsons, Murphy (Erika) Degen of South Jordan, UT, and Michael Forrest (Kaela) Sears of Portland, OR; loving nieces, Shirley (David) Waddington, Reba (Wayne) Stinson, Karen (Christian) Lawrence, Pamela (Joe) Hicks, Tracie (Dean) Johnson; nephew, Jerry (Melva) Law and Steve Sears; great-nieces, Becky (Robert) Wood, Shara (Thomas) Hamlett and Ruby Lawrence; grand-nephew, Graham Sears and sister-in-laws, Carolyn Hicks and Peggy Sears.
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