John Alexander Spears

JOHN ALEXANDER SPEARS John Alexander Spears was born to Charles and Charlotte Spears on December 6, 1946, in Fort Worth, Texas, and died July 7, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Patty (nee Smith), their two sons, Matthew William and Charles Joseph, granddaughter Melody Starr Spears and bonus granddaughter Laney Jean Murray, sister Betsy Spears Bamford, and brother Russell Spears and wife Kathy. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bradford Spears. John was a 1965 graduate of Sherman High School and a graduate of Sam Houston State University. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and spent most of his service in Heidelberg, Germany. Following his service, John returned to Sherman and after a few odd jobs, joined Victor Quin at Quin Studio and began his career as a professional photographer. Over the more than 60 years the studio was in business, the two of them photographed many generations of families. In addition to photography through the studio, John traveled extensively to scenic destinations to photograph. When he wasn't taking pictures, John loved to garden, as evidenced by the wonderful landscaping around his and Patty's "country cottage." John has been a dedicated member of the Sherman Rotary Club since 1981, serving in numerous capacities including Director of Vocational Service, DFYIT Chair, and Sgt-At-Arms for three decades. He truly exemplified the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self," in his daily life. He was never one to seek recognition, yet he quietly looked after friends and fellow Rotarians in meaningful and lasting ways. He funded many Sherman Rotary projects over the years, most recently the club's literacy projects at Sory Elementary School and the Sherman Public Library book vending machine. He also contributed significantly as a long-standing trustee of the Sherman Rotary Club Charitable and Scholarship Foundation, Inc., and was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. In addition, John served on the Boards of the Sherman Museum, the Erwin E. Smith Foundation, and the Grayson County College Foundation. A memorial service for John will be held at a later date, under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.