Tommy Glen Spears

On Monday, January 30th, 2023, Tommy Glen Spears, loving father of two children, passed away at age 70. Tommy was born on September 2, 1952, in Fort Worth Texas to William “Albert” and Marguerite Spears. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971 and was stationed in San Vito, Italy for 3 years where he served in medical supply and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He met and married his first wife, Maria Cotrina Silvestri in July of 1973 before returning home to Carswell AFB where he served until 1978. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from the University of North Texas in 1982 and started his career at The Grapevine Sun in Grapevine, Texas.

Tommy had a lifelong love of literature and the written word. He was a voracious reader and remained curious about a number of topics but was especially fond of history. He could discuss any number of topics from memory and had amazing recall regarding the details of any period of time. He was published in numerous newspapers, magazines and periodicals and spent a good deal of his time in freelance writing on a wide variety of subjects. His proudest career achievement came in 1986 when he became the Managing Editor of his own newspaper publication, The North Hills News in North Richland Hills.

In late 1992, Tommy moved to State College, PA where he married his second wife, Jill Byers in July of 1993. Here, he developed a deep appreciation for the landscape and forests of central PA where he would spend numerous weekends with friends and family at campfires or engaging in his favorite hobby, fishing. The beauty, history and culture of the area was something he fondly remembered for the rest of his life.

Tommy was preceded in death by his mother, Marguerite. He is survived by his Father, Albert, his sister Susan Spears, and his two sons, Adrian and Ian. His wishes were to be cremated and the inurnment ceremony for his ashes will be held on Monday, February 27th, 2023, in Rest Haven Memorial Park, 2500 State Hwy 66, Rockwall, Texas at 11:00 A.M.