Merl 'Bud' Jennings Spears

Merl "Bud" Jennings Spears, age 87, of La Grande, died July 8, 2015 at Wildflower Lodge. A family graveside service will be held. Those wish to may make contributions in his memory to the Disabled Veterans in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

Bud was born on December 28, 1927, the son of Leonard and Frances (Berry) Spears in Corvallis, Oregon. The family moved to La Grande when he was 3 years of age. He attended the 7th Day Adventist grade school in La Grande and Gem State Academy in Idaho. In August of 1945 he enlisted in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge he returned to La Grande. On August 8, 1946 he married Shirley Brownell in Portland. He worked as a lumber grader for Boise Cascade for 42 years. He was a handyman and as he raised his family they all worked together to build the house the family grew up in. He was an outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, camping, and mushroom and huckleberry picking. He also enjoyed gardening and taking care of his fruit trees.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Spears of La Grande; children, Linda Girrard of Island City, Brian Spears of Sweet, Idaho, Melvin Spears of Island City and Donna Valek of La Grande; brother, Leonard Spears of La Grande; half-siblings Darrill Spears, Ellen Bishop and Harriet Kay Crist; twelve grandchildren; many great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; half brother Wayne Spears, brother Claude Spears, half sister Miriam Griffith, one grandson and one great granddaughter.

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