Dean Earl Spears

Dean Earl Spears, 79, passed away August 28, 2026. Dean passed at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born March 18, 1947, in Kanopolis, Kansas to Elvin and Galeta (Haas) Spears. Dean grew up in Osawatomie, Kansas. Dean would

suffer a horrific accident in 1958, when he was 11 years old, he got his right hand caught in the jointer of an electric saw which damaged 3

fingers. He attended Osawatomie High School, where he achieved the title of Mr. Trojan in 1964.  He would become the editor of the school

newspaper, the treasurer of the student council, participated in KAYS, was a STUCO representative, and would letter in track, football, and

basketball. Dean would then graduate from Osawatomie High School in 1965.

Dean graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1971, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a minor in Mathematics.

In 1986, Dean proudly earned his FAA pilot’s license. He spent countless hours piloting his beloved four-seater 1975 Cessna 182P Skylane,

exploring the world from a perspective few get to experience.

Dean was a hard worker and provided for his family. He would become an entrepreneur and would start several successful businesses. Most

notably starting a company that supplied educational resources to schools. Dean loved to have projects and was a jack of all trades; if he did

not know how to do it, he would learn how.

Dean is survived by his wife, Judith Spears; by sons, David Spears, Derek Spears and wife, Mindy; by daughters, Danielli Spears and her

husband Dave Tashner, Kendra Deal and her husband Ryan; by four granddaughters and one grandson, coming soon.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery & Crematory in Joplin, Missouri.