Charles Spears

Mr. Charles Roy "Chuck" Spears went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, February 26, 2009, in the St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chuck was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on November 18, 1926, to Roy A. and Ethel May Spears. He grew up in the McAlester area where he graduated high school and later served in the United States Navy. He attended Duke University and Louisiana Tech, graduating with a business degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where his dad was a charter member. After graduation, he was employed at the First National Bank in Tulsa and then the Cities Service Oil Company in Bartlesville. While living in Bartlesville, Chuck met the love of his life Charlene Hunt, and they were married in 1949. In 1958 they purchased Kelley Travel and changed the name to Spears Travel. This business venture began a wonderful 50-year journey with many loyal employees, clients, and associates. His family carries on this business today. Chuck and Charlene dearly loved traveling the world with many friends and family throughout the years. When Chuck was forty years old he turned his life over to Jesus and spent the next forty-two years sharing the joy of the Lord with everyone he met. He deeply loved God, his family, and people; he never met a stranger. He was a punster extraordinaire and always wore a huge smile upon his face; he loved to make people laugh. Chuck was a loving husband to his wife Charlene for almost 60 years and was a devoted father and grandfather. He was very generous to his family, friends, and community. Chuck loved music, played bass in a dance band, and loved to sing in the church choir. He recently recorded a CD singing love songs to his beloved wife that included an original composition, "Charlene My Love." He spent a generous and joyful amount of time attending concerts, symphonies, and plays. He was an avid sports fan and as anyone can attest that knew him, he loved his Oklahoma Sooners! Chuck was a member of Gideon's International, Rotary International, Elks Lodge, Hillcrest Country Club, Friday Noon Men's Bible Study, and East Cross United Methodist Church, where he served for one year as an assistant pastor in the early 1970's. He cheerfully visited and prayed with patients in the hospital, which became a life-long passion. Chuck is survived by his beloved wife Charlene of the home; three sons, Reverend Charles Spears, Jr. and wife Joan of Tulsa; Gary Spears and wife Cindy of Bartlesville; Greg Spears and wife Denise of Broken Arrow; one daughter, Carol Spears of Pompano Beach, Florida; and six grandchildren, Daeva, Matthew, Chelsey, Austin, Ashley, and Josh. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Francile Conklin, and mother-in-law Corinne "Keen" Hunt. Chuck will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but they are comforted by the thought that he is now making people laugh in Heaven and performing in the Heavenly Chorus. A viewing and Celebration of Life will be held at the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 2, where friends and family may gather to celebrate Chuck's life. A memorial celebration will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, in the Sanctuary of the East Cross United Methodist Church with the Reverend Chad Perceful officiating. The Reverend Charles Spears, Jr. will perform the eulogy. Services are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in memory of Chuck Spears to The United Methodist Wesley Foundation, University of Tulsa, 3019 E. 5th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74104 or to the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 263, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74005.

Service Details

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 3:00pm, East Cross United Methodist Church

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville