James A. Kear

James Allen Kear, age 75, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Saturday, September 21, 2024, while in the care of Ohio’s Hospice Truman House at New Philadelphia.

Born on November 5, 1948, in Tiffin, Ohio, Jim was a son of the late Willis Herbert and Opal Elizabeth (Schleter) Kear.

He was a graduate of Calvert Catholic High School and began his career as a Design Engineer with Pettibone Material Handling and later worked for Gradall and retired from JLG at Orrville.

Jim is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover and enjoyed watching NASCAR and Sci-Fi shows and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, the former Debra Ann Wright, whom he married on February 20, 1971, their daughters, Tracy (Rob) Laughlin of Sugarcreek, and Heather (Jim) Fox of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Zachary (Jenny) Johnson, Kearsten (Jeff) Hershberger, Corbin (Alanna) Johnson, Kylee (David) Little, and Gage (Emily) Teischinger; his great-grandchildren, Wren, Griffin, Winrey, Kason, Nox, and Gaven as well as two expected great-grandchildren. Completing the family are his sisters, Nancy (Ed) Suffecool and Betty (Dave) Brown as well as his nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Ronnie Kear, and a sister, Donna Schmidutz.

In keeping with Mr. Jim’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or services. The Geib Funeral Center at Dover is handling arrangements. Private inurnment will take place in the Dover Burial Park.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Ohio’s Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.