Longtime area rancher George Maurice Sears, age 91, of Zephyr, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023. Graveside services for Mr. Sears will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Zephyr Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation; although, friends may pay their respects on Thursday. Arrangements are under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home in Early.
George was born on October 22, 1932, in Brown County on the family ranch to Thomas A. Sears and Irma Nell Harper Sears. The Sears and Harper families were prominent pioneer families of Brown County and Brownwood, Texas. At the age of three, George and his family moved to the family place in Zephyr, Texas. As a small child, he attended Bethel Baptist Church, where services were held under the original tabernacle. At the age of seven, he was baptized in Blanket Creek. George graduated from Zephyr High School in 1950, and he then attended Tarleton State University. Afterwards, he began working for Petty Geophysical Engineering Company in San Antonio, Texas, where he traveled and worked in Texas, New Mexico, and Maryland. In 1952, George joined the United States Army and completed his basic training at Camp Chaffe. He was honorably discharged in 1955. George married Johnnye Wilson in 1955 and was blessed with two daughters. In 1959, George and Johnnye moved to Wichita Falls, where he co-owned K&N Services maintaining and working on large oil rig engines. In 1970, George and his family bought land in Zephyr, across from his family home place. George began working for Odessa Natural Gas, where he managed a plant in Carbon, Texas. Retiring in 1987 from what was then British Petroleum, he was able to ranch full time until his death.
George was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. He served on the Zephyr ISD School Board for 12 years, and he served on the Zephyr Water Supply Board as an original member. As a hobby, George began restoring antique hit-and-miss engines. He showed his engines, which were his pride and joy, throughout Central Texas winning awards, trophies and certificates.
George is survived by his wife, Johnnye Sears; his daughters, Sandy Strefling of Temple, and Lisa Beck and her husband Wes of Early; grandchildren, Shauna Green Ciceri, Denise Green Wilson, Leslie Beck, and Amy Beck Barros; great-grandchildren, Mason and Jase Wilson; and sister, Eva Jo Allen of Brownwood.
George was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, T. A. Sears, and one sister, Mollie Callahan.
The family would like to thank Drs. Daniel Alstatt, Tamara Cox and Marlen Strefling and their staff for taking care of our husband and father. The family would also like to thank Oak Ridge Manor Nursing and Rehab and Solaris Hospice for their care and support.
The family request that memorials in honor of Mr. Sears be made to the Zephyr Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 569, Zephyr, TX 76890.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
