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HAROLD SPEARS Obituary
LAKELAND - Harold Truman Spears, Jr., 87, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2017 due to multiple myeloma. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Harold was born June 21, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Lauline Grant Spears and Harold Truman Spears. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1951. He was a member of SAE fraternity. While at UGA he was Captain of the golf team and was Southeastern Conference Champion in 1949. He was a contemporary of Arnold Palmer, who was Captain of the golf team at Wake Forest University. They were opponents several times, but Harold had to admit that he never beat Arnold.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 2 years as a proud Marine. Upon honorable discharge his rank was 1st Lieutenant.
Harold started his career in the motion picture theatre business working for Carl Floyd of Haines City, owner of Floyd Theatres. Harold and his family moved to Lakeland in 1959. Floyd Theatres eventually became Floyd Enterprises, which consisted of a chain of motion picture theatres in Florida and Georgia and a Pepsi Cola and 7UP bottling plant in Fort Myers. Upon Carl Floyd's retirement Harold became President and Chairman of the Board. The company was later sold to a larger company, and rather than retire Harold purchased 2 drive-in theatres, the Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland and the Joy-Lan Drive-In in Dade City. Work was his passion. Until recently, he could be seen working at the Silver Moon Drive-In and Swap Shop.
A devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, Harold also loved to fly his Cessna 310, often flying to Athens to see his beloved Bulldogs play football.
He was an active member of First United Methodist Church and for many years part of the Care Group, visiting others in ill health.
To sum up Harold, he was honest, generous, loyal, conscientious, helpful to all and had a strong work ethic. He will be missed by so many.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, John Lee Spears. He is survived by Betty Bowden Spears, his wife of 66 years; daughters Anne Spears Powell (John), Carol Spears Sawyer (Pete); granddaughters Lauren Powell Kopilash (Mike), Haley Sawyer; grandsons Chip Sawyer and Wade Powell; great-grandsons Caiden and Blake Kopilash.
The family is grateful to caregiver Donna Jeffords for the loving care she provided in Harold's final days and to Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Lakeland on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or First UMC Children's Clothes Closet, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland FL 33801.
Arrangements by Heath Funeral Chapel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for HAROLD SPEARS
Dawn Monday
May 24, 2024
I will never forget this kind gentleman. He was a humble man and was always doing for others. Thank you Harold for your service to our country, our community, and to each and every person you blessed with your kindness. You will never be forgotten.
Chris Chase
May 24, 2020
The flea market still misses you and loves you. And i miss my cup of coffee that you used to buy me. Always remembered and Always respected for your military service and service to the motion picture community and being a friend to us.
Ronnie and Shasta White
May 27, 2018
Mr. Spears was one in a million! Our family thought he was the whole package, he was kind, thoughtful and someone we all respected. He was my husband, Ronnie's mentor, he modeled his business ethics after Mr. Spears', he was a hard worker, but he learned so much more from Harold, as he asked us to call him, but he was still Mr. Spears to us! He learned how to run a business and so much about customers and how to deal with them and treat them , from Mr. Spears. He so admired him as we all did. He would stop by from time to time and he always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world! Everyone knew if Mr. Spears was visiting, don't bother Ronnie! You would think the President was in the building! We still talk about Mr. Spears a lot and we were so surprised and happy to receive Anne's Christmas card this past year, such a wonderful reminder, she is so talented! We saved all of them! He was so proud of his family, he shared such nice things about you all! He just made you want to be the best person you could be! He will always live on in our thoughts and memories and the things he taught us all by his example of how to be the best you can be! We send our thoughts, prayers and love to the family, Ronnie and Shasta White
Dan Stanley
June 5, 2017
What I've heard of Harold during the funeral is that he was quite a man. I personally didn't ever meet Harold and never got to go to the Silvermoon Drive-In as of yet. I've been going to the Ruskin Family Drive In were I meet Ted and Karen not knowing that Ted as best friends of Harold and working together in the early years. May Harold RIP
James Ryer
June 3, 2017
As former neighbors of Harold and Betty, we would like to add our condolences to the family on hearing of Harold's passing. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
James and Diane Ryer
Chris Chase
June 3, 2017
As a patron and sometimes vendor at the swap shop for nearly 30 years, I grew to respect and enjoy the company of Mr Spears. He was always helpful and even more so, friendly and down to earth. Every time I would find a Georgia Bulldogs item, I knew he would enjoy it, so I gave it to him. He was very fond of Marilyn Monroe, so when I had something pertaining to her, I'd give it to him. He was always so appreciative. He will be missed and always remembered as a pioneer of business and entertainment in Lakeland as well as the great state of Florida.
Dawn Monday
June 1, 2017
My life is richer having known this kind man. He had such a humble nature about him, and was a true southern gentleman from the greatest generation.
I feel honored to be able to call him my friend.
Praying for the family. Knowing how much he will be missed.
Thank you all for sharing him with us.
Samantha Combee Hamlin
June 1, 2017
I am saddened to hear Mr. Spears is no longer with us. I've known him for the past 8yrs. He's was always such a ray of sunshine. Always kind, always smiling, always friendly. He once have me a few tickets and asked me to come watch a movie at the Drive-in. I hadn't been there since I was a little girl. I told him I would go and do I did, it was a walk down memory lane of the evenings laying on the roof of my dad's Cutlass. I will miss him. I pray for peace and comfort for his family, such a great loss.
Hernandez Family
June 1, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you, family and friends at this time. (We know Mr Spears by setting up at the swap shop).
Sherrie Smithers
June 1, 2017
My condolences for your loss.
Ronnie & Shasta White
June 1, 2017
Dear Mrs. Spears and family, we are so very sorry for your loss. We were so saddened to hear this news. I guess we thought he would live forever! He was so young at heart! We first met Mr. Spears when my Mother, Lois Bennett, worked for him many years ago. We loved seeing him at the Drive-in, our grandchildren loved to go! What a wonderful gift he gave to let them and many others have this experience! He was one of the most kind and honorable men we have ever known. My husband and I always looked up to him as a role model, such a great business man, but he was so much more than that! To know Mr. Spears was to have a friend for life! He would stop by our shop from time to time and I can tell you that was the highlight of my husband's day! We will miss Mr. Spears so very much, but we have some wonderful memories of his visits and the cards that Anne did every year. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man!
Barbara and Tom Richards
June 1, 2017
Harold and Robert are yelling Go Dawgs from Heaven. Sympathy to Betty and family. He will be missed by so many.
Sharyn
June 1, 2017
Rest in Peace Mr. Spears. My Thoughts & Prayers are with your Family & Friends.
Jack Hegarty
June 1, 2017
My Dad hired him in 1954 Florida theater, Sebring Harold told me he held me as a baby then, I hold in my heart, and glad to know him better when I worked for him in the 80's working at the Silvermoon and startin the flea markets at all the drive ins then.....I am truly saddened and give strong prayers to the entire family at this time.
Barbara McSwain
June 1, 2017
Dear Mrs.Spears and Family,
With much pain and sorrow was so sorry to hear of your loss Mr. Spears was a customer of ours at Miracle Ear here in Lakeland always came in with a smile so polite such a generous man may God Bless you and your family at this time, Will miss you Mr. Spears!
Barbara McSwain-Lakeland Fl. Miracle Ear
Harold's Hole-In-One
Amy Hodgkinson
May 31, 2017
My prayers are with Harold's family. I am so sorry for you loss.
I had the privilege of witnessing Harold's first hole-in-one in 2011 at the the FSC Hinson-Bates women's golf fundraiser. I was a golfer on the team at the time and I have kept in touch with Harold over the years. I am so thankful that I was able to see him at this year's fundraiser, just a few short months ago. Harold was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Becky Kerber
May 31, 2017
My condolences to all of the Spears family.
He taught me so much when I worked for him. What a great guy.
Jewel Kidder
May 31, 2017
Harold gave meaning to the phrase, "To know him is to love him." I wish I had had the opportunity to know him better but treasure the times we shared. He was a joy to know; always the kind and generous gentleman.
John Watzke
May 31, 2017
Was honored to meet Mr. Spears at the Drive-in Convention , He was a true leader in the industry. My sincere condolences to his Family and May He Rest in Peace.
May 31, 2017
Spears Family, so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking with Harold at the Thanksgiving Dinners at John and Anne's. He was such a gentleman and you could tell how proud he was of his family. Love and Prayers Mark and Joi Taylor Auburndale,FL
Claretha Conner
May 31, 2017
My condolences to the family. I knew him through the banking world. He was always patient, kind, and polite. My heart goes out to his family.
Harold and my dad, Bill
Bev Reilly
May 31, 2017
Harold was one of the kindest, most generous men I've ever known. He and Betty were friends of my parents for many years, and when my dad was in his 90s and couldn't drive anymore, Harold would pick him up and take him to the golf course to play a few holes. He would also regularly visit Dad in his assisted living facility after my mom passed. I had the privilege of interviewing Harold and recording his life history on video a few years ago, so I learned even more about what a remarkable man Harold was. My sincere condolences to his family. RIP, Harold.
Mary Scott
May 31, 2017
Anne- Prayers to you and your family.
MaryBeth Scott and Family
Jose Bove
May 31, 2017
Harold was a true man of God and an inspiration. I will miss him.
Kim Corkins
May 31, 2017
To an amazing and kind man. I helped write his aircraft insurance for many years. He was always so sweet and would visit us in the office often. It's been quite a number of years since I've seen him, but I've always remembered him and thought often of him. Loving UGA was something we shared. He will be so missed.
Kimberly Ham
May 31, 2017
I can't say enough about this wonderful man! His delightful sense of humor, his joyful spirit, his caring ways! I am so grateful for a photo he sent me after our dear friend Robert Newsome's passing. It was of Harold and Robert in Harold's plane ... most likely headed to watch the Bulldogs play! I couldn't wait to receive Harold's Christmas cards -- they were the very best! My favorite one was the message inside that said "Hark, the Harold Angels Sing"!! Kudos to Anne for her creativity and making the deadline to get those cards printed every year! They don't come any better than Harold Spears and his best buddy, Robert Newsome! I know those two are having a grand time together right now!
wilton williams
May 31, 2017
I didn't know you but carol and I were good friends my prayers for the family and God bless wilton and sharon williams
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