Lt. Col. Lewis T. Spear, Jr.

Lt. Col. Lewis T. Spear, Jr., 75, left this life to dwell forever with Jesus on September 12, 2010.

He was born on February 2, 1935 in Crowley, LA and lived a full and colorful life with his wife of 51 years, Marsha Spear.

Col. Spear was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Lewis Spear, Sr.

He is survived by his wife; his son, Lewis Spear III and daughter-in-law, Becky; grandson, Christopher Spear and great granddaughter, Ayla; step grandson, Gordon Martin; sister and brother-in-law, Nan and Wid Himel; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Lana Spear; mother-in-law, Frances Brown; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Becky and Dick Roberts; and many nieces and nephews who loved their "Uncle Sonny."

Lewis graduated from McNeese in 1959 with a Bachelor in Music Education and continued his education with graduate studies at Duke University and the JFK Special Warfare Center. He was a decorated war veteran, serving his country proudly and valiantly. He retired after 30 years of service to his country, including two war-time tours of duty in Vietnam.

Col. Spear was a licensed minister and ordained deacon. He was a living witness to God's love and saving grace wherever he went. Throughout his life he was a volunteer choir director for Baptist churches and missions in every place he lived. Since his retirement, he has been an active member of Trinity Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and Bible Study classes. He particularly enjoyed singing with and arranging music for the JOY (Just Older Youth) Singers of Trinity.

Lewis Spear was a man of many talents and had a relentlessly inquisitive mind. From music and art to technology and theology, he loved to learn and he loved to teach. He had a lifetime of interesting experiences, often resembling an action spy novel, as his world travels and business ventures took him from Asia to Africa and his beloved island of Antigua. He made lasting friends wherever he visited.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Trinity Baptist Church. The Rev. Steve James will officiate. Burial will be in Westlake Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 1:00 PM until time of services at the church.