Ronald Dean Stear

Ronald Dean Stear was born May 13, 1932 to Lawrence Preston Stear and Francis Valentine (Kerr) Stear. He was the oldest of 4 children that included his brother Roger, and sisters Sharon (Bowen) and Shirley (Paulsen). He was born at home and since it was a chilly night his Aunt Rosie put him in the oven. She used to laugh about each of his toes getting a little blister on them. He loved working/playing on the farm with his siblings. They swam in the irrigation ditch and even skied up and down it. In his childhood they still used horses when putting up hay. In high school he and his brother Roger were part of a motorcycle club called the “Flying Eight Balls.” His first job off the family farm was to work for the Bartruff’s north of Eustis on their farm. Five minutes into his new job, he had his first beer. Ron graduated from Cozad High School in 1950. He attended (without much passion) one semester of college. He worked for the John Deere dealership before being drafted into the army during the Korean War where he was stationed in Alaska. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart Sally (Lewis) Stear. After serving his duty, Ron continued to farm and the couple had three children, Jayne (Gayman), Cathy (Hanna), and Debbie (Neill). Ron was an ambitious farmer and was awarded “The Outstanding Young Farmer” award. Over the years Ron served on the Cozad Ditch Board, District 13 School Board, Dawson County Extension Board, Methodist Church Board as well as other ag related boards. Later, Ron married Karen (Chittenden). During that time, he acted as stepparent to Jason Cover, Josh Cover, and Matt Cover. Ron loved farming despite complaining about how hard he worked. He said, “I was born to farm and was blessed to be able to pursue my chosen work.” Ron was awarded The Pioneer Family and Farm Family of the year. Ron continued to stay very active into his later years, whether it was Friday night “Stear Beers” in his shop or a drink at the Elks. It is a comfort to his family that Ron trusted Christ as the payment for his sin and we will meet again in heaven. Ron died October 3, 2024, at Meadowlark Pointe of heart failure.

Memorials are suggested to Cozad United Methodist Church, Cozad Fire & Rescue or Cozad FFA. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Bellarmee Milosi officiating. Berryman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.