John D. Sears, 68, died Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at home with his
family. He was born December 7, 1944, in Decatur, NE, to Edgar Allison
and Anne Marie (Gatewood) Sears.
He graduated from Decatur High School in 1963. He attended one year of
college at Creighton (NE) University, and graduated from the University
of South Dakota in Vermillion.
On January 25, 1969, he married Kristen Gellerman in Rapid City, SD.
They lived in Rapid City until 2002.
John was a co-owner of Dakota Business Center, and also worked at
Cummings and Roll Insurance. He served in the South Dakota State
Legislature from 1984-1996. He held Republican leadership role as
majority whip from 1987-1992. He also served on the Executive Board and
was Chairman of the Commerce Committee. He held a Republican leadership
role as majority whip from 1987 through 1992. In that position, he
helped win approval in 1989 for legislation to create the video lottery
system in South Dakota that has provided more than $1 billion in state
revenue.In 1993, he went to work for Sodak Gaming, and in 2002 moved to
Reno, and worked at International Game Technology until he retired in
2005. While in Reno he was very active in his church, St. Rose of Lima,
and loved to ski at Mt. Rose almost every day during the winter.
He is survived by his wife, Kristen; daughter, Gyda; son, Jeffrey
(Karla); and two grandchildren, Harlow and John Eddy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Gail Kelley; his
nephew, Matthew McDonald; and a grand-niece and nephew.
Services will be Tuesday, Februay 12, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic
Church. Memorial services will be Tuesday, February 19, at Blessed
Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City. A memorial has been established
to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Arrangements are with Final
Wishes Funeral Home.
Burial:
Unknown
Information taken from 25th
class reunion booklet, May 1988
John Sears:
Rapid City, SD. Wife-Kris (part
owner Lebrun & Jackson Investment Mgmt., Inc.). Children-Jeff (17,
will be Senior at Steven High School). Gyda (15, will be Sophomore
at St. Martins Academy). John is with Office Systems Design, Dakota
Typewriter Exchange & is a State Legislator, District 32, Asst.
Majority Whip.
