James H. “Jim” Lear passed away on June 17, 2011. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Madeline and Everett H. Lear.
He was born in Rome, Georgia on October 23, 1932.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Lear and his six children, Jim, Jr. (Laurie), Steve (Paula), Rhett, Sheryl, Curt (Lynn), Scott (Jennifer) . He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Stephanie, Heather, Sara, Jaxon, Tanner, Trey, Dawson, Gabriel, Caroline, Summerly and Samantha. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Holder and her husband, Tom and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Lear was educated in Rome, Georgia Public schools and Georgia State University which was then a division of the University of Georgia. He attended John Marshal Law School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Lear proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War conflict. After serving in the Navy as a Medical Corpsman, he pursued a career with Delta Airlines as an account executive and then in the pharmaceutical industry for over 35 years. He retired from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical Corporation during which time he won many awards, including the President’s Club six times. He served as Senior Warden at St. George Episcopal Church in Ft. George Island, Florida.
He coached little league football for over 17 years. He was a member of The Free Masons for 57 years. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for 41 years. He took great pride in co-founding the General Joseph T. Finnegan Sons of Confederate Veteran Camp #745 in Nassau County, Florida.
Among his many accomplishments, he served on the Jacksonville Area Planning Commission, Fort George Island Community Advisory Committee and was elected to the Nassau County School Board, in which he served 1 year as chairman.
Along with his many pursuits, he authored several treatises on the American Civil War which were published in Nassau County, Florida.
His greatest loves were his family, his Southland and his Georgia Bulldogs.
A memorial service will be held at the Yulee Methodist church at 12 noon on Saturday, June 25, with Rev. Mark Stiles officiating. Reception to follow in the reception hall of the church.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. for visitation Friday, June 24, at Green Pine Funeral Home.
According to his wishes, Jim will be buried in the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Lannie Road in a private ceremony at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joseph P. Finnegan SCV Camp #745, 8420 Cross Timbers Dr. W., Jacksonville, FL 32244 or Community Hospice of N. E. Florida, 4114 Sunbeam Rd., Bldg. 100 Ste. 101, Jacksonville, FL 32257.