Johnny Lee Spears, Sr., age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri. He was born September 30, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Marion Lee “John” Spears and Elsie Shaffer Spears. Johnny grew up in Kansas City and later moved to Ft. Scott where he graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1976. Following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy. He served with the Navy for nine and a half years and was stationed in Connecticut and Virginia. He served as a missile technician on submarine crews. Johnny married Kathy Seal in June 1983. Following his discharge from military service, the family relocated to Texas for several years prior to returning to the Ft. Scott area. Johnny completed the Harley Davidson program at Ft. Scott Community College. He worked for a year at a Harley Davidson dealership in Louisiana. Johnny loved listening to music and reading. In earlier years he enjoyed fishing and recently had taken up the hobby of grilling and smoking meat. He was a great fan of the Las Vegas Raiders and of NASCAR. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of the home; three children, April Sloan (Robert) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Jennifer Spears of Covington, Kentucky and Johnny L. Spears, Jr., of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Michael Woodward, Michelle Robinson, Kyle, Brady and Scott Sloan, and Aliziegh, Marley and Astonia Spears and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Avery and Alexander Robinson. Also surviving are four brothers, Danny Spears, Warsaw, Missouri, Kenny Spears Fulton, Kansas, Jessee Spears, Pleasanton, Kansas and John Jenkins, of Nevada, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Crystal White and a sister, Lillian Vanderford.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Thursday, February 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Johnny Spears Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kathy and family, So sorry to hear about your loss, Will remember him in my prayers. June White Newton
Dear Kathy, family and friends of Johnny,
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at Johnny´s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow “Bubblehead” departs on Eternal Patrol. He served with honor on the USS Ulysses S Grant SSBN-631.
To our “Brother-of-the-Phin” we say, “Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas.” Thank you for your service to our country.
Kathy and family… “may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV).
Jim Sandman, FTC(SS) Ret,
National Chaplain, USSVI.