Bennard Henry Nears

Honoring the Charismatic Life of Bennard Nears

Bennard Henry Nears, affectionately known by many as Bernie, of Sacramento, passed away on September 11, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and had the joy of knowing him.

Born October 9, 1955, in Oakland, California, to Ben and Silver Lee Nears, Bennard lived a colorful and charismatic life. He grew up on Sextus Road in East Oakland with four brothers and a host of neighborhood friends. He was always known as the life of the party. He would enter a room and leave everyone with a laugh and a story.

Bennard lived for many years in the Bay Area and North Bay until life took him to Sacramento, where he made his home for the next couple of decades.

While in the Bay Area he married Denise Robinson in 1976 and had his son Damon Nears. He later married Christine Van Hook in 1984 and had his daughter Jasmine Nears.

His charisma and personality led him to many areas of work and opportunity from machinist to construction, painting, and beyond. He spent years volunteering at a food bank in Midtown Sacramento until his health made it impossible. It was his way of giving back to the city and people who had given so much to him.

He had many passions: telling stories, laughing, cooking, road trips, beach days, and traveling-his favorite trip was to Paris and Germany-and gathering with loved ones for parties and get-togethers. People knew that if Bernie was coming, it was going to be a good time. He was also a lifelong fan of horror and suspense films-Tremors among his favorites-and he delighted in sharing new discoveries with visitors. Bennard had the rare gift of connecting with people. It was impossible to go anywhere for long without Bennard leaving with a new friend.

Though he faced chronic illness in later years, he found joy in small pleasures and never missed sending a text to folks on holidays or birthdays. Original and one-of-a-kind, he embraced his life fully and loved living it. For those who knew him, his memory will be filled with humor, warmth, and laughter. He loved life and people could see that in the way he made them feel.

Bennard was Christian and accepted Jesus as his savior at an early age. We pray that he is reunited in heaven with his loved ones.

Bennard was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Chris and Willie Nears.

He is survived by his children, Damon Nears of Hayward, CA, and his mother Denise Robinson of Oakland, CA and Jasmine Nears of Silver Spring, MD and her mother Christine Van Hook of Fairfield, CA; his daughter-in-law Shaun Nears of Hayward, CA; six grandchildren, Kalani Turner of Hayward, CA, Damoni Nears of Oakland, CA, Damiya Nears of Pleasanton, CA, Sir Jude Brown of Hayward, CA, August Miller and Layla Miller of Silver Spring, MD; two great-grandchildren, Kamau Turner and Kyair Turner of Hayward, CA; brothers Kennard Nears of Atlanta, GA, and Sylvester Nears of Las Vegas, NV; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, chosen family, and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Oakland Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 10115 Edes Avenue, Oakland, CA 94603.

The repast will follow at 1pm at the California Historical Radio Museum located at 2152 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring our Dad's legacy of service by supporting the Central Downtown Food Basket, where he spent years giving back to the community.

Donations may be made in his honor by sending a check to:

Central Downtown Food Basket
1701 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Or online at CDFB.org.

You can also see the words on a link here:
Bennard Nears Obituary - Fairfield, CA https://share.google/i06PfOZDgGdayVDRW