David Morgan Spears, Sr.

David Morgan Spears, Sr., 78, died peacefully January 26, 2026 surrounded by his wife and family. A longtime faithful servant of our Lord, David was above all, a man who followed Jesus and loved his family. He was a founding member and elder at Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain in Scaly Mountain, N.C.

David was born in Jenkins, Ky., on February 25, 1947, to the late William Burnside Spears, Sr., and Mae Johnson Spears. He grew up in Jenkins, Ky., and then Orlando, Fla. David joined the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. While attending college in Winchester, Ky., he met and married Pamela Sue Gardner, his loving wife of 58 years. Their life together took them to Winter Park, Fla., Washington, D.C., and Marblehead, Mass. — but they made their home in Atlanta, Ga., and Sky Valley, Ga., where they raised three children and were incredibly present in the lives of their grandchildren.

An accomplished businessman, David started his career with Brach Candy Co., then Polaroid, before leaving to build his own businesses to allow more time to be connected to his wife and family. When his company Club Management Associates, Inc., acquired Sky Valley Resort in 1991, David and Pam felt called to build their home in Sky Valley.

In addition to his wife Pam, he is survived by his mother-in-law Norelyne Tipton Goodlett, his three children — Joy Spears Walstrum, Sarah Spears Stewart and her husband Jay and Morgan Spears; five grandchildren — Taylor David Spears and his wife Sydney, Abigail Grace Walstrum, Josh Lummus, Matthew Edward Stewart and David Ryan Stewart; his sister Jewel Spears Brooker; his Japanese son Tatsuya Yoshinaga and his family; and a host of beloved great-grandkids, cousins, nieces, nephews and many cherished friends.

David joins his parents, his brother William Burnside Spears, Jr., his sister Judy Spears Reed and a multitude of other loved ones in heaven.

A celebration of his life will be held March 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain, 9915 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, N.C., with Pastors Gary Hewins and Steve Kerhoulas officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain or Community Bible Church Highlands.

Visit Leaf Cremation to sign the online guest register.