Larry Sterling Spears, age 66, of Nevada, TX unexpectedly passed away on June 19th, 2023 in McKinney, TX.  

Larry was born on October 8th, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio. He attended Northridge High School in Alexandria, Ohio where he was an All State Linebacker his senior year.  He graduated from Northridge in June of 1975 and went on to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio studying Computer Science.

In 1978, Larry married Rebecca “Becky” Ann Humphrey at Johnstown Church of Christ in Johnstown, Ohio.  Their children are Andrea Melissa Spears, Nicholas Sterling Spears, and Megan Adelle Griffith.  

Following the promise of a successful career, Larry, Becky, and the children made the brave choice to move to Garland, Texas in 1985.  Larry worked his entire adult life for JC Penney in the Information Technology Area where he was ultimately the Director of Store Systems.  After 33 years of employment, Larry retired on September 30th, 2012 to care for his beloved wife Becky, who passed away on January 11th, 2013 after a 6 year battle with stage 4 cancer.  

Larry was blessed to find love a second time. He met and later married Cynthia “Lynn” Renner on May 10th, 2014 at Midway Church in Pilot Point, Texas.  Larry and Lynn  resided in Oak Point, Texas until 2023.  They longed to be closer to their kids and grandkids and just recently moved to a new home in Nevada, Texas.    

Larry was a loving, compassionate, and caring husband, father, and Papa.  His devotion to Christ was apparent in how he lived his life. He generously gave his time to helping those in his community by volunteering for 8 years at Shepherds Storehouse food pantry in Pilot Point, Texas.  Larry loved serving at New Hope Baptist Church in Aubrey, Texas.  He recently was chosen to be a deacon with New Hope.  He found great joy in spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.  Pizza, root beer floats and toasted marshmallows (which occasionally flew across the lawn when they got too crispy) were staples at Papa and Grandma sleepovers. Larry was a licensed pilot and aviation enthusiast.  He was able to fulfill his dream of flying in one of the planes his father piloted during WWII, the B-29 Superfortress.  He also loved flying his Cessna 172 to get breakfast or a hamburger.  His other hobbies included cheering on the Dallas Stars, fishing and tinkering with the latest project in his shed. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and attending grandkids’ activities.

Larry is survived by his wife Cynthia “Lynn” Renner of Nevada, Texas; his mother, Bonnie Jean Spears of Columbus, Ohio; his mother-in-law Darla Sue McPherson of Cushing, Oklahoma; his brother Daniel “Dan” Lee Spears and wife Karen Sue Spears of Lewis Center, Ohio; and his sister-in-law Evelyn Carol Spears of Wilson, North Carolina.  Larry is also survived by children Nicholas “Nick” Sterling Spears and husband James “Alton” Green of Allen, Texas; Megan Adelle Griffith and husband Benjamin “Ben” Hunter Griffith of Wylie, Texas; Christopher Robert Renner of North Hollywood, California; Matthew “Ryan” Renner and wife Josephine Kipola Renner of Temple, Texas; and Michelle Anne Schiller and husband Frank “Aaron” Schiller of Wylie, Texas.  Larry is also survived by grandchildren Micayla Green, James Green, Aidan Griffifth, Annelyse Griffith, Harper Renner, Olivia Renner, Luke Warnick, Robby Schiller, and Jaxon Schiller.  Larry is also survived by nephews and nieces Jim Spears, Jennifer Buzaleski, Tim Spears, Jacob Spears, Erin Spears Rollins, Chris Humphrey, Matt Humphrey, Kaitlyn Stockton, Cody Humphrey, his constant four-legged companion Layla, as well as other, loving extended family.

Larry was preceded in death by his father Leroy “Lee” Daniel Spears of Alexandria, Ohio; mother-in-law Janithe Joan “Ann” Humphrey of Columbus, Ohio; father-in-law Richard Lee Humphrey of Columbus, Ohio; father-in-law John William McPherson of Cushing, Oklahoma; daughter Andrea Melissa Spears of Columbus, Ohio; wife Rebecca “Becky” Ann Spears of Oak Point, Texas; and brother James “Jim” Robert Spears of Wilson, North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be held at New Hope Baptist Church at 5800 HWY 377 S.; Aubrey, TX on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 at 12 PM.  Please note, Apple Maps will display this city location as, “Cross Roads.”  

A second Celebration of Life will be held at Sunbury Christian Church at 870 Admiral Drive; Sunbury, OH on Friday, July 14th, 2023 at 12 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Shepherd’s Storehouse in Pilot Point, TX in memory of Larry.  The organization serves as a community food pantry and offers utility assistance for those in need.

Donation Information:

The Shepherd’s Storehouse

1189 South Highway 377

PO Box 826

Pilot Point, TX 76258

Phone: 940-686-2620

Email: shepherdstorehouse@gmail.com