James Gormley Sears

October 6, 1939 -- July 30, 2022

 Private services were planned for James Gormley Sears.  He passed away at his Lacey, Washington home on July 30, 2022 at the age of 82.  He was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 6, 1939 and raised in Decatur, Nebraska which was always home in his heart family members said.  He is survived by his sister; his wife of 42 years Sandra; his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Jim was loved by all that knew him.  Fremont Tribune

(Information taken from 50th Alumni Booklet May 2007.  Please send an e-mail to update information at any time.)

Spouse:  Saundra

Children:  Todd, Travis and Jami

Grandchildren:  Tabitha, Zack and Teaha

     I left Decatur the first time in the summer of 1957.  I went to work for Stillman Rubber Company in Culver City, CA. and stayed just the summer.  I returned to Decatur and attended Wayne State College that fall.

     The next summer I left for California again, fully intending to return that fall and go back to school.  Well, that didn't happen.  I stayed for 5 years and worked for another Rubber Company--Parco.

     Both Stillman and Parco were being run by former Decatur Grads.  Dee Stillman was VP of production for Parco and Harold Sears was President of Stillman at the times I worked for them.

     I moved back to Decatur in 1963 after mom died.  I worked mostly in the bar and restaurant business for the next 7 years.  Then 5 years in the insurance business in Omaha.  I also got married, fathered 2 great boys and was divorced in this 12 year period.

     I moved back to California in 1975 and after a couple of false starts found myself back in the rubber business.  This time with Gardena Rubber Co., owned at that time by Hughie Connealy, another Decatur grad.  I worked for him 4 years and then went to work for Goodyear Rubber Co. of southern California.  Harold Sears and his son, Larry own and run that operation.

     Got remarried in 1980 to Saundra and a couple years later along came Jami.  We decided we would try to get out of California in the next few years and the 1989 we moved to Washington state.  I went to work for Rainier Rubber soon after and am still with them on a part-time basis.

     One other Decatur grad that I have worked and played with over a great deal of this time is Marty Squires.  He is and will always be one of my best friends.

     My interests are golf, fishing and hunting.  I also shoot a lot of clay targets, mostly Continental trap.

     I still get back to Decatur at least once a year and this gives me the opportunity to keep track of my old friends, family and schoolmates.  Decatur will always be in my blood and I am proud to be one of its citizens, albeit in absentia.