Kenneth Ray "Ken" Shears

Kenneth "Ken" R. Shears, age 76, of Delaware, Ohio passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family following an extended illness. He was born on August 24, 1949, in Marietta, Ohio to the late William Shears and Frances (Wickham) Shears.

On January 6, 1996, he married Pamela Lathrop Shears at their home. Together they shared 30 wonderful years of marriage.

Ken was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He completed a tour in Vietnam as a medic and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor Medal. Ken was also inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1095, and served on the Board and the Honor Guard.

Ken was a member of the First Baptist Church in Delaware and served as a trustee. He was generous with his time and resources to help others in need. Ken enjoyed fishing, bowling, slot machines, camping, and telling jokes. He could make anyone laugh and never met a stranger. Ken was a warm, kind person who will be forever loved and deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Pam; daughters, Kimberly Miller, Kara Shears, and Amy Miller; son, K. Aaron Shears; grandchildren, Tanner Flowers, Cody Flowers, Kennedy Flack, Haley Flack, Wyatt Spriggs, Levi Shears, Gavin Shears, Jacob Thatcher and Adyson Thatcher; great-grandchildren, Silas and Maverick; sisters, Velvet Benson of Marietta, Ohio and Shirley (Bruce) Fletcher of Apopka, Florida; sister-in-law, Susan Beard and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Frances Shears; brothers, Bill Shears and Ronnie Shears; brother-in-law, Dan Benson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Kate and Tasha of Tranquility Hospice for their tender and compassionate care.

Friends may call on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. with a Funeral Service being held that day at 12:15 P.M. at Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel, 101 Valleyside Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015. Dr. Mark Allison is officiating.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, an inurnment with military honors and graveside prayers will take place at 2:00 P.M. at Oak Grove Cemetery, 334 S. Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ken's favorite charity St. Jude Children's Hospital at or the First Baptist Church of Delaware at www.fbcdelaware.org or mail the donation to the church at 101 N. Franklin Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

The staff of Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel are honored to serve the Shears family. Please visit www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com to share a memory and leave an online condolence.