On, May 22, 2019, Carl Herbert Sears, 81, of Jackson, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Four Winds Nursing Home with his family by his side. Mr. Sears was born in Jackson, Ohio on Nov. 1, 1937 to the late Chloe Belle and Lloyd Sears. He grew up in Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 1956. He read books, played music on his guitar, and raised his children with integrity, wisdom, and humor.
Carl believed in giving back to his community and did so as a member of a variety of clubs and organizations. He was a member of the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club. Additionally, he was an active member of Phi Delta Kappan, serving as president of the DuPage Chapter from 1984 – 1985. Upon returning to Jackson he continued to serve his community as a member of the Jackson County Genealogy Society as well as the Jackson Historical Society, serving as President from 2010 – 2012. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and as a member he pursued learning opportunities and spearheaded programs like the Summer Lunch Program for several years.
He was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his spouse, Carol Sears, his daughter, Kathleen Anne Fugar (Kevin), son, David Michael Sears (Maribeth) and his step-daughter, Jennifer Sullivan. He passed on his love of learning, books, and wordplay to his children and in turn, his seven grandchildren: Alyssa, Tyler, Justin, Micaela, Dylan, Ethan, and Becky, although none of them are quite as good as he was at solving The New York Times crossword puzzle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Sarah (Gretchen) Gahm, and stepson, L.D. (Buck) Wilson.
He attended Ohio University and graduated in 1960. He began his lifelong career as an educator in Gallipolis, Ohio. A consummate learner himself, he continued his education, receiving a Masters Degree from Ohio University and Advanced Degrees from the University of Illinois. He dedicated his life to encouraging curiosity and a passion for learning to his students. As an educator of over 30 years he touched the lives of countless learners as a classroom teacher, a college professor, and an administrator. He worked in Gallipolis Ohio, Athens Ohio, Pella, Iowa and ended his career in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1992. He retired from Elmhurst District 205 and returned to Jackson, Ohio to be close to family and to the beloved foothills of the Appalachian Mountains that he’d missed since leaving the area.
Carl was a generous and loyal friend. He maintained friendships from high school, college, and those gained professionally. He enjoyed backpacking and spent glorious summers in the 1980s hiking through the mountains of Wyoming with friends. Throughout his life, he touched and graced the lives of many with his kind and generous heart. He enjoyed conversation and could start up a conversation with any stranger he happened to meet on a park bench, or a bus stop, or a bleacher. Mr. Sears took great pleasure in spending time on his porch watching the world go by. He will be remembered for his wit, intelligence, gentle soul, and his predilection for a good pun.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson with Rev. Janie Karl officiating. Friends may call Saturday from 11-12 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be given in Carl’s name to the Jackson County Historical Society, P.O. Box 475 Jackson, Ohio 45640. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com