Some men “work to play”, but Rick Shears worked to provide a safe and stable environment for his family. To Rick, family came first, and his family was his world. Described as a “man’s man”, who loved muscle cars, monster trucks, and making memories with his wife, children and grandchildren, Rick embraced his toughness along with a little tenderness.
Richard Shears, 63, of Mansfield passed away suddenly Tuesday evening, July 8, 2014 in the emergency department at Ohio Health MedCentral Hospital.
The son of Raymond L. and Juanita F. (Beeman) Shears, Rick was born in Mansfield May 3, 1951. At age 9, Rick began working and at 15 saved enough money to pay for his first car, a new 1965 Pontiac GTO.
Rick graduated from Madison High School in 1969. Evenings consisted of cruising Park Avenue and Park Lanes, which is how he first met Ruthann Knackstedt. Playfully referring to Rick as the “King of Cool,” the two were married on July 31, 1971.
Rick served his country as a reservist for the Air National Guard from 1970-1976. As a young man he worked for Rupp Industries, traveling extensively as a test driver for snowmobiles.
For most of his life, Rick was a truck driver as a member of the Teamsters Local Union 40. Hard working and a great provider, he was on the road, away from home on most weekdays, but Rick’s family was always a top priority.
He appreciated the style and fast look of his new cars, which were always kept in pristine condition. Rick enjoyed car shows, drag races, and also watched monster truck races with his best buddy-Dylan. Tender-hearted, he loved spending time with all of his grandchildren, and enjoyed spoiling his grand-dogs as well, Digger and Buddy,
Rick is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Ruthann Shears of Mansfield; daughters and sons-in-law Lisa and Jeremy Miller of Howard and Leslie and Doug Neighbors of Lexington; grandchildren Jeremy “J.J.” Miller and his fiancée Amanda Durbin, Cody, Hailey, and Sophie Miller, Dylan and Emily Neighbors; great grandson Jace Miller; brothers and sisters-in-law Ray and Cathy Shears of Mansfield and Ed and Sandy Shears of Lexington; mother-in-law Florence Knackstedt of Mansfield; nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four-legged son, his German Shepherd, Phoenix.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 11, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. Calling hours will resume at the funeral home on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. where funeral services celebrating the life of Rick Shears will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Phil Green will officiate and burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to the Richland County Dog Shelter may be made through the funeral home.
Online condolences to the Shears family are welcomed by visiting:SnyderFuneralHomes.com
