Longtime Alpine resident Sidney Charles Spear Jr., 56, passed away suddenly at his home on July 27, 2013.
Charles Spear
He was born on April 17, 1957 in Laredo to Elizabeth and Sidney Charles Spear Sr. He graduated from J. W. Nixon High School in 1973 at the age of 16.
He attended Sul Ross State University his freshman year, majoring in journalism. For the remainder of his college years he went to San Angelo State University. During his time at Sul Ross he developed a love for the Big Bend area that would never leave him.
Charles moved back to the Big Bend area in 1978 and in 1981, started a small company, which evolved, with the help of his brother and partner Tom, into SpearCo Construction. The two built many beautiful homes and became skilled at historical restorations. He was also the co-owner of the Desert Springs Restaurant in Alpine during the 1980s.
Charles loved the outdoors and was happy to have found a career that allowed him to work outside a great deal of the time. He was an avid reader, enjoyed collecting and working on guns, an excellent hunter, and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved music, collecting western artwork, cultivating bonsai and was an exceptionally good cook. He loved sharing the wonderful food he prepared with his family and friends. Lately he had been spending time on weekends working on his casita at the Spear South 40, located near Terlingua.
Preceding him in death was his stepson, Jay Steven Woodward.
Survivors include his father, Sidney Charles Spear Sr. and wife Irene of Concepcion; mother Beth Allen and husband Ray of Lockesburg, Arkansas; daughters Jade Spear and Chani Spear and her fiancé John Skinner, all of Alpine; brother Tom Spear and wife Mary Clare of Alpine, stepbrothers Rene Garza and wife Celia of Austin and Jon David Garza and wife Denise of Buda; three nieces Genny Spear, Scout Garza and Andie Garza, and three grandchildren, Jaci, Sophia, and Sean Spear, all of whom he adored.
Other survivors include former spouses Melissa Hill of Corpus Christi; Lauren Satterwhite Spear of Alpine; his very good amigo Neal Novosad of Alpine, his beloved dog Bella and cat Kenya, and many friends.
Charles’ larger–than-life personality and his love of the Big Bend area will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The spreading of his ashes will take place on October 26, 2013 at the Spear South 40. A “Celebration of Life” party will follow after the ceremony.
Memorials may be made to the Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University or the American Heart Association.