Gary Dean Sears

Gary Dean Sears, age 75, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully at home September 2, 2023. Visitation will be Monday, September 11th from 5-7pm at All Faiths Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life, led by Dan Naranjo, will take place at All Faiths on Tuesday, September 12th at 11am. A gathering of friends will be at the Alda Community Center immediately following. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Please drive your favorite car and wear your favorite attire. Memorials are suggested to Voice for Companion Animals. Condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com. Dean was born December 23, 1947 in Stockton, CA, to John Beauford and Christine Pauline (Hauf) Sears. When he was a toddler, the family moved to Grand Island, where Dean spent the rest of his life. He attended Howard Elementary, Walnut Junior High and graduated from Northwest High School in 1966. On May 3, 1969, he was united in marriage to Connie Embrey at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island. They were blessed with three children. Family life included memory-filled adventures camping and Griswold-like summer vacations, a mile-long list of automobiles (you never knew what you would be driving) and many beloved pets. Dean bought his very first car at age 9 and recruited his buddies to help him push it home. Without much effort, that first car was up and running and the legacy began. Dean dedicated his 45-year career to Chief Industries, retiring in 2012. He began in drafting and ended as General Manager of Chief Construction, leaving a much beloved work family. In their later years, Dean and Connie spent many Friday nights with the “Rusty Bottoms” hot rod car club, but Dean’s greatest joy was time with family. Gathering around the table, enjoying great food, solving world problems, sharing memories and tons of laughter were blessings frequently experienced. Because of him, we’ve all perfected the art of quick-whit, sarcasm, bad dad joke generation and being ‘punny’. If you don’t get it or can’t finish the punchline, keep trying. In the meantime, we’ll be laughing and enjoying the next joke or story. Every family should be so lucky to spill over with laughter each time they gather. Dean’s love of cars was a very close second (actually it was probably a tie). From faster-than-fast sprint cars to Eagles that couldn’t make it over a golf-ball-sized rock, to muscle (he loved to go fast) or classic cars; he either owned, drove, helped with, repaired, serviced or just bought and sold at least one of everything. He always had multiple projects in process and was blessed to enjoy his hobbies to the end. Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Connie: children; Carrie Sears (Duane) Kohles of Grand Island, John (Jenny) Sears of Westcliffe, CO, and Collette (Albert) VanBorkum of Lake McConaughy: eleven grandchildren; Grant, Wyatt, Ava, Brendan, Karsen, Marshall, Hudson, Madilyn, Grace, Emily and John. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws and numerous aunts and uncles. “I got this idea . . .” “It was a good deal.”

Gary Dean Sears

December 23, 1947 - September 2, 2023

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Gary Dean Sears

December 23, 1947 - September 2, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support