Raymond (“Ray Sears”) A. Sears Sr. (retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel)—The essence of a Tennessee Volunteer, he was a loyal and trusted friend, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a “Ramblin’ Wreck,” dyed-in-the-wool U.S. Marine, and always the challenger who asked for more, better—whenever and wherever it was needed. He passed away on July 3, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Keough Sears; his children: Patricia M Sears (Steven Mason), Andrea C Winter (Michael), Marilyn A. Swyers (Peter), Raymond A. Sears Jr. (Karla), Timothy F. Sears (Kimberley), and their mother, Kathryn C Sears; his grandchildren: Michael Claudio, Lauren Claudio, Justin Mason, Courtney Miernicki (Christopher), Sarah Swyers Parker (Brett), Melissa Pischl (Dan), Caitlin Winter, Zachary Winter, Matthew Sears, Timothy Winter, Riley Sears, Mallory Sears and Rhys Sears, Andrew Sears, Liam Sears; his great-grandchildren: Christopher Miernicki III, Lucas Pischl, Michael Miernicki, and Eleanor Parker; Helen’s children: William S Weathers Jr. (Elizabeth), Frank E. Weathers (Julienne), and Katherine G. Weathers; her grandchildren: Martin Weathers, Nathan Weathers, Emily Weathers, and Scott Weathers; and his sisters-in-law: Peggy Reich, Mary Whittemore (Terry), and Frances Guy (James).

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on August 29, 1928, Ray Sears never quite lost his New York attitude. His mother, Margaret Callahan Sears, was a first-generation Irish and his father, Andrew M. Sears, hailed from Brooklyn. As a master plumber, Andrew’s work took him from New York to Birmingham, Ala., where he was recruited to work in Oak Ridge, Tenn., on the Manhattan Project. Margaret also worked in the facility while Ray and his sister, Marilyn I. Sears, attended Oak Ridge High School (’44–’48). His nickname was “Red” on the high school football team. Ray’s father, mother, and sister pre-deceased him. [Read more…]